Day 26 in Puloly and Day 27 in Colombo and Singapore

The blogs have been put up late vue to lack of interent access, flying on a plane, tiredness from the trip. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

Day 26 in Puloly

I stood in their prayers, I had breakfast with them and I sent them off to school. I didn't tell the children I was leaving rigt after they walked out of the gates. All I wanted to see them do was pinching my cheeks, teasing me, laughing at my jokes and just happiness. I couldn't see myself breaking their hearts. I know I will be back, but just don't know when

Just zooming pas the events. I said goodbyes to everyone, travelled in the auto with 5 people at the back seat, arrieved at the wedding which was really beautiflu with interesting rituals like tying thali inside the Church, it was time for my farewell of which before that we were treated to sarbath, strawberry milkshake is actually what it is, haha....

We sat under the shady trees on the Church benches which were laid outside the Church to make way for the wedding. I loved my farwell. It was a beautiful place with amazing people that I had to leave behind. I was given two framwes with peoms written it wasn't until later that I knew that the tamil one was written by Ms Jecintha and Dr Anandkumar had written the english one. I don't have to say how touched I felt by those poems. Anyways, I gave my speech, my parting speech, my spech of thanking everyone of them for helping these kids, my speech of giving them the confidence that these kids will be saved, and y speech how how much I was going to miss them.

Wedding lunch was a great feast, it felt like the "last Supper" with drinks, food and smiles. I was going to miss each and everyone of them. That's all that was running in my mind.

I spend the day at Ms Jecintha's. Ms Nanthini, didn't want to leave. I didn't want her to leave but she had to get back to work. She cried several times and I couldn't stand near her to see that, because all I wanted is to stay. I can't explain how much each of them mean to me.

Anyways, I was talking to Paki and the other helpers... They kept asking when will I be coming back and If i would even pick up the phone when they called. This is the Sri Lankan Experience: They will make you feel wanted, they make you feel important , but more than anything, they think of you like you are one of them...

It was time for the bus ride. It was time for me to leave Jaffna. It was time for me to go home. I wished it was the other one.It wasn't until the bus started its ten-hour journey that I started crying. I looked out of the window and saw Jaffna passing by me, I saw in my heart and thougt about all the people I cared about dearly...even more than my own family mates, I saw the moon and thought about the kids and how much work there is to be done. The path is a bumby one but there is a route, somewhere...if you try hard, you will find it.

Day 27 in Colombo

I woke up in air-conditioned hotel room, showered in hot water, and walked out on carpet. No more sand, ants or mosquitos, but still I wasn't happy. All my thoughts were back home...home in Puloly.

Sir came in and wished us morning. We had a mini meeting. First thing he told me, I had to set up a facebook account! followed by other things I had to do, which I can't wait for.

We left soon after to see his family. His wife made amazing fish sandwhich and I had my last cups of tea and coffee. She asked to cme and stay with them the next time. I would love to but I don't know when is the next time.

Thank God it was a long ride to the Airport. I had time to spend with Ms Jecintha and Sir. I was already missing them so much. I was hoping I would miss my flight actually but yeah I think that probably would have created more problems.

At the airport, sir told the driver to wait for 2 minutes, I didn't want to take up their time and moreover any longer  would have cried instead I just gave my hugs and goodbyes. Sir teared and I wished I told him, I am going to miss him a lot.

They waved goodbyes while I was inside I stood there helpless I stood there all alone wishing I didn't have a home to go back to. I stood there wishing I did't have a family of my own to take care of. I stood there wishing I could run back into their arms.

I cried once I walked off. I cried because I loved them a lot. I cried because I hold them so dear to my heart.

I am back home and since I came back, at least about ten different people have called to ask me how I am....from the kitchen staff to admin, to the contruction helpers they all have called to ask me how I am and that they miss me and that when am I going back...as muc as I am happy to hear to their voices I am sad that now I have a family in Sri Lanka and I don't know when I am I going to see them again.

Special Thanks to My Sri Lankan Family

The children in Puloly and Atchchuveli, The staff: Nanthini akka, Kamilranjan Anna, Kasturi akka, Tharshini akka, Thursanthan, Karunagaran Anna, Aiyya, Ramila akka, Theepana, Darshini, Sivamalar Ms, Dhaya Ms, Sutharshini Ms, Suganthi teacher, Apple Ms, Sujeevan BBS staff: Romani Ms, Poopathy Ms, Anita Akka, Reegan Anna Friends: Pakitharan and Neerooban and helpers My Sri Lankan parents: Ms Jecintha and family, Dr Anankumar and  family

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH THANK YOU SO MUCH! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!