Living in The Presence

My Second Birthday At The Ashram

    After some time, my name was called out. I got in and found the Mother standing in Her room. On seeing me, she lovingly smiled.

    The Mother - Bonne Fete, mon enfant! (Happy birthday, my child)

    I offered the flowers and the box to Her. She opened the box and looked at the salwar-kameez very attentively.

    The Mother - Is this for me?

    I - Yes, Mother.

    The Mother - Did you make it?

    I - Yes, Mother, I've made it.

    The Mother - (very sweetly) It's very beautiful.

    The Mother - (looking at the design more closely) It's very beautiful. Next time, though, don't give me anything in red.

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    Then, giving me the flowers one by one, she began explaining, "Here is Sincerity, Transformation, Peace. And here are your book and flowers. Aurevoir, mon enfant!" (See you again, my child)

    Bowing down to Her, I said, "Aurevoir, Douce Mere!" (See you again, Sweet Mother)

    Blessed by Her, I returned home and spent the birthday in quiet remembrance of Her.

    When the Mother went back from the Playground to the Ashram at night, I would go and stand next to Nirod-da's room beside the door leading to the staircase, in order to have one final darshan of Her. On my birthday too, I went and stood there. A while later, Pavitra-da drove the Mother back to the Ashram. Getting down from the car, She went straight under the covered corridor to Debu's room (Debu is Pranab-da's brother) while all of us waited in a line. Then, She came out of Debu's room and headed for the staircase next to Nirod-da's room. I was standing right opposite the door opening to the staircase. When She came near the staircase

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    Slowly the Mother climbed up the stairs while I remained quite hypnotized staring in Her direction. A silent prayer welled up in my being, "Make me yours, O Mother! Make me yours!"

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