SIMPLE JOY

 
When we sang Arti to Baba under the tin shed, He would embrace each of us when we were finished. Mehera's turn was first, then Mani's. When Baba called Mehera, she would run into His arms with outstretched hands, the way a child runs for an embrace from her mother. That beautiful scene is always vividly before my eyes when I consider the meaning of pure thoughts, words, and deeds.

Mehera loved Baba so much that whenever Baba told us He was leaving to go on a tour, within moments tears welled in Mehera's eyes. It was painful for her to bear separation from her Beloved, but she never said a word. She accepted Baba's absence, knowing how much spiritual work He had to do.

As a child I always felt sad when I noticed her tears, not for myself, but for Mehera, whose love for Baba was so intense. Her love was unconditional and without the slightest taint of selfishness. She wanted nothing except Baba's pleasure, happiness and comfort, and nothing could deter her from trying to fulfill His every need.

Once when Baba was on tour, Mehera made a little swing and placed a cutout photo of Baba's reclining figure in it. She covered Baba with a tiny maroon silk "sheet" edged with silver lace. Sometimes when she was feeling lonely, she would call us children into her room and allow us to swing Baba. She took such simple joy from watching us as she shared her love for Beloved Baba with us in His absence.

Sometimes we would help Mehera to twine flowers together to make a little garland, which she would put around Baba on His swing, then move the swing gently back and forth. Other times we would put a garland around Mehera's wrist, and she would giggle with delight, making us giggle too.