A long day of Connecting People

November 25, 2023

Having had 3 transfers with almost 13 hours of bus ride from Bangalore, I managed to arrive at my familiar (not any more!) Kalamassery at 6.15 am!  When I counted the comparably less cost incurred in my travel, and the weight of my two small bags (thanks to US sweets for friends here, almost 3 additional kilos), I decided to indulge in the luxury of an autorickshaw ride - Rs. 50.00 for just about 1 km ride is still not palatable for me! I ask the driver what is the minimum rate, and he confesses it is Rs. 30.00.  However, I don't haggle. I reach the comfort of my spacious room, which is kept unlocked - but not having tended to for past 3 months, it gives the feel of damp air. I have a quick bath and get ready for the Church, only to discover that the community mass is to be in the evening in connection with the feast of Christ the King. Apt time to be here! 

My dentist has dithered - she says that the appointment has to be postponed, as they have to attend a funeral. I have no other go. Just before my departure to the US she had revealed to me after her facile discovery of a huge cavity in my left molar teeth of the lower jaw, which was so deep that it cannot be filled, but only pulled. But that required surgical procedures which would take at least a few days.  But I have enough items on my 'to do list' for the day. 

I get ready and move to Ernakulam, first to listen to my good friend and confrere - the multifaceted, irrepressible Dr. George Athappally, perhaps the only person privileged to have had Dr. Abdul Kalam as his Ph D guide.  The computer scientist that he is, makes him desperate after finding the several possibiities of manipulations in the voting machine.  He wants that to be presented to the judiciary, at least when someone shows a semblance of wisdom and justice is the chief. But there is hardly anyone to listen to him, accept his proof, and take up the cause. He thinks I could be of some use linking with some lawmakers or influential people. No great chance! I suggest MLA Prathapan, or VD Satheesahan. But I am still not sure whether any one of them would be genuinely interested and even if convinced, would stand up for a fight against the prevailing system. 

Before reaching Lisie hospital, I pass by my alma mater (grades V to VII - a long story behind my joining there).  It occurs to me that I should stop over and say hello to the head of the institution.  As expected it is a lady (unthinkable in our times, with no female student or a single female teacher around), Sr Alphonsa.  She recognizes me quickly as the brother of her erstwhile colleague, Merlin. Happily, I say hello, get a picture clicked with her to post in our XA group. 

My next destination is the treasury pension office - as a pensioner, I ought to appear there some time, to get updates and to ensure that I am still alive to receive a pension of the state. What a privilege! But as usual, we do not know how to go about it, and though the staff are cooperative, yet far from being friendly.  I feel there should be someone to assist the pensioners as to what is to be done, and how to go about, as they are getting aged, and are not all that adept at getting things done. Perhaps, this could be a good opportunity for some of the pensioners to take turns and be a volunteer there to guide those who come there!  I am asked to get a form downloaded and printed and signed. They ask for some email which I am not aware of.  I agree to their directions and go out.  

There is my brother solicitous to meet me, and I stop over at Girinagar.  He is temporarily in a rented house, while his own house is getting spruced up for the daughter's wedding.  It is almost like rebuilding. Better be careful if and when you construct a house, so that such repairs could be avoided.  Now this is all possible.  I say hello to them and depart to treasury again, as my colleague has found a supportive staff at the treasury who would help me.  I reach back, and find Ms Soumya who tries to be of help.  But all said and done, finally, the specific form or letter as indicated by the officer earlier has to be obtained. No other way but to search for it online or wait for it by email.  At the college Saju and Babu, my former colleagues spend some time to get it sorted out, but finally it has to come from the AG's office to my mail.  

In the meanwhile, there is a gathering of IQAC to felicitate Sreejith, my former student and IQAC officer for past 13 years, and also his wife and our councillor Ms Rakhee.  They were a perfect couple for the campus - no non-sense, professional, versatile, ready to be of service. It is a loss that they are leaving. I too join the gang to greet them and share my good impressions about them. Prior to that there was discussion on criteria 7, and I have plenty of suggestions in that regard, only if they are willing to go the extra mile.  There is a group photo.  I make a post on the FB and also write a blog on these worthy colleagues.  The IQAC meeting is also about business, and though I was not expected to be part of the business meeting, I have many things to suggest for implementation, which I share at the slightest indication from the team. 

I go to the monastery but no one is around to be met.  I collect a new 'diners card' offered by HDFC for free. Yet to discover what it implies and what it could benefit the user. 

Then there is a stopover at Kunjamma's place - to say hello to Joseph chettan, who appears to be making it a habit to give all concerned some terror, by collapsing devoid of Sodium. He is almost back to normal, but both of them now do not dare to venture out even to the Church just 300 mts away.  I give them some fruits - big sita phal, instead of the unhealthy sweets or other bakery stuff. Even the health of these fruits is questionable! I wonder how far the recepients would be happy to have them instead of those typical fancy sweets! 

I make use of the opportunity to halt at IMA  centre, and do my 'routine' blood donation (sincerely trusting it is now more than 100 times).  The place is under repair, so, some of the formalities are done away with, and with my being a regular donor things are expedited.  HB level is seen to be very satisfactory. I refuse their refreshments - tetra pack juice & good day biscuits - as I consider them not fit for a health centre.  Point hat out to them again - I know it is not of great use. 

I have another stopover - to greet Aetty - the incorrigible, adamant Aetty of past her 80s. But she appeared more pleasant and sprightly. I give her sitaphal and sweet Passion Fruit. All these sans any wrapper! She is anxious to treat me with a toffee compulsorily.  I have to give in. Then she orders coffee, which she holds in her hand and spills while I am attending a phone call from my dentist. I speak fiercely through my teeth: Aetty keep that there, and forcefully take that away from her.  Aetty has the sharpness to remind me that it was high time I left the domain of going about institutions and focussed on the gospel and sharing of the same with others. I am in agreement.  But make the excuse of the lack of charism and/or the vow of obedience.  She is unhappy that I am leaving quickly and is determined to get down the stairs to see me off. I fear for her, and ask some of the people there to ensure that she gets back to her room safe. But they say they can't do anything about her, as she is so fiercely determined.  And unless we have ample time, we can't afford to be with her, as she appears to be unable to grasp what we say or see us clearly, claiming that she has lost those two faculties. 

That was a long day, and I reach back to join the vespers of the titular feast of Christ the King. 

So many stops, so many people and interactions - all this is made possible on account of two things -1) one is willing to go after such things and 2) my bike is readily available for me to move around. Even with a bicycle, perhaps, I could have achieved this stretch, but with a car - I seriously doubt.  A motor bike is thus a midway option between convenience-comfort,  mobility-access and carbon footprint-sustainability. 

Silent Sturdy Sreejith - Sprightly Resilient Rakhi

I felt blest to be at Sacred Heart - after almost 3 years of being relieved from its offices formally, still sacred in my heart - almost by accident - only to bid farewell to my erstwhile colleague and former student, Sreejith the meek and humble of heart, almost like Jesus. He had been our Quality Cell Officer for the past 13 years. Also Rakhi, our student counsellor and life partner of Sreejith. She has been with us for past 8 years or so. The duo make me proud of my profession, as they succeeded in showing what I deem as the professionalism of Social Workers, the ability to produce not only skilled work, but spirited work as well, with voluntarism at their beck and call in each of the tasks undertaken. I am sure the campus, the staff and the students will miss them. I hope they will flourish, flower and fructify in their land of better promises, and also be the ambassadors of heartian goodwill, strengthening the heartian world wide web of AASH in Canada! May the Sacred Heart reward them for all the good they had done, and for all the goodness they have shown. Good luck, good friends.

The informal gathering had the present IQAC team, 3 former IQAC directors, and a former principal. The present principal is away building international relations. Many express the impressions Sreejith (and Rakhi) made on them - all positive. Sreejith, the dogged, determined, never-say-no, perceptive, skilled, silent multitasker - old Indira Gandhi school? Kam baat Adhik Mehnat!

Coming from the land of Ram (200 kms away from Ayodhya) and residing at Sitapur, I connected them easily with the maryada purushottam Sri Ram and Maa Sita. Sreejith approaches me and asks: I have a plan to formally seek the consent of Rakhi involving the families concerned to get married with her. Would there be any problem if this is through for us to continue in the college? He told that if the college norms were against it, he could think of quitting. I responded after pondering over the issue that as such there were no such norms, nor did I have any objection to it, but would respond after consulting the management. We usually do not appoint a husband and wife team in our institutions. When I shared the matter with my superiors they also didn't feel anything amiss in that. Just to indicate the delicateness and refinement Sreejith exhibited in matters concerning one's self. Sreejith to all of us, including Rakhi, is the saatwikan - niswan! The one who goes about unperturbed by the changes in the elements, one who keeps self away in engagements - to me, that his self, relishing even though unawares being a saatwik, a niswan!

Rakhi in no way was to be outdone - she excelled in her own way. Initiating orientation to mental health for the new comers, assessing their status using formats, and not completely forgetting her athletic orientation in long distance run, contributing her mite in creating a supportive culture for marathons, albeit in the form of volunteering for the event than actually running.

Rakhi makes it clear that it was nothing of a love affair on the campus (not that there was anything wrong in that per se), but a planned, systematic, goal-oriented decision (just as Social Work would be).

The duo exhibited the versatility, pliability and genuineness that is expected to be part of professional social work. Some people feel they were underpaid, or they could get better paid else where etc. Perhaps true. Some people feel they couldn't practise professional social work. Regarding this, I am not in agreement at all. I think they put to good use the minimum inputs they had received during their training of planning, monitoring, evaluating, listening and responding to, research skills etc. It is perhaps many maintain a very stereotypical concept regarding what social work is all about. To me, give any domain of human engagement, that is a social work arena.

IQAC gives them a huge plaque (rather well designed) - to a person like me, adding to the waste dump! They could have been offered some additional money, instead, and perhaps, given a paper citation, which they could have scanned or even otherwise carried along. I don't know, perhaps, they cherished it.

There was lunch followed at the 'Rendezvous' (in the initial days, our very erudite staff would pronounce it, (and why not), rendezvauz!) but I have many things to manage and I skip that.

I wish them all good!

jug jug jiyen - siya raam ki tarah!

Sreejith's gift to all who were involved - the pictures linked to them from the 3 or 4 TB storage (also from google), using profile scanner, sorted and sent to each of them concerned! As would Zimba say: mind iz blowing!!

Evergreen salute, good young friend(s)!

Lax in wisdom and the loss of wisdom tooth

At home, in our younger days, we used our bare index finger and the medium of  Black Rice Husk Ash (BRHA - Umikkari), at  ground fine and mixed with salt, and usually stored in a tin or a coconut shell. It was believed to be effective in keeping our mouth and teeth in tact. I had observed that some of my classmates would present their gum-teeth junction with some strands of umikkari embedded there. I used to have very white teeth in those days! Gradually, it was thought to be more fashionable to have a brush, and use paste (typically, Colgate or Binaca - with the added attraction of  Binaca Toys. Though we didn't use Binaca generally, somehow by high school days, I had a good collection of them, nearing about 75) for that.  When I was introduced to the tooth brush, my eldest sister gave a piece of advice to the effect that it was not necessary to use some paste all the time you brushed - I am sure, this was more from the angle of economy than health, though, it might have been true from a health angle as well. When I joined the seminary, my teeth were intact. 

Then, joining the  seminary, we were introduced to the practice of using a fork and spoon, and not having to wash the hands, or having to wash dishes where washing the mouth was not permitted, I got into the habit of not rinsing or washing the mouth after each meal, though the practice of brushing the teeth before going to bed was developed. After 3 years of such practice, and reaching back to Keralam, I spotted that my teeth were having cavities. And in the company of the venerable Fr. Methodius, I went to the SD clinic at Chunangumvely, where the sister dentist, found my teeth healthy but requiring the filling of some 6 cavities.  There was a lull in dental concerns and I hardly paid any attention to oral hygiene as such, till after completing my studies, and getting appointed as a teaching faculty at Rajagiri. 

My boss at Rajagiri had an appointment with Dr Gene, a dentist familiar to him - who happens to be the niece of our senior confrere Rev. Dr Aggaeus CMI.  I accompanied him, and got my teeth checked, and found there were cavities to be filled a tooth or two requiring root canal treatment.  I got them done, and felt impressed, and thereafter continued the practice of an annual check up to ensure things were in order. 

With the environment and social concerns influencing me, I had shifted to using Indian brands, and Dabur dant manjan was my tooth-cleaning agent. Dr Gene was very appreciative of my dental health, and thought it was on account of the not-so-popular tooth powder with the dentists. Post retirement, I had an all India ride, then a short stint of volunteering in NE Social Service Society, and then I was off to Doha, Qatar, almost 3 years gone without much of the annual check up or stuff like that. And I woke up to the reality of my age and dental degradation, only in July 2023, when for the first time in my life, a tooth ache deprived me of my night's rest.  Early morning, I visited the rather well-established mission hospital in the neighbourhood, only to be comforted by the young visiting doctor (with a PG degree) that my teeth were all intact, and only plaque accumulation had to be taken care of, by using some special tooth paste, and a mouth wash.  He would clean my teeth to remove the plaque - comforted I return happily (of course, paying Rs. 2500 for the day's encounter). However, the teeth were giving me trouble, hence, I decided to consult Dr Gene when I arrived for a brief visit for an official meeting. I snatched an hour from the hectic meeting schedule and managed to meet the husband and wife doctor team, and Dr Gene was aghast after examining, exclaiming 'There is a huge hole in the teeth and nothing but extraction was the solution and that would require more time'.  She suggested the solutions:  (1) Keep the cavity (the cave!) clean of food particles by vigorous rinsing,  (2) if warranted, keep some cotton to keep the cavity filled so that food will not get settled there, and (3) as soon as possible, try to get proper treatment - read, extraction. 

While casting no aspersions on any particular group, and while avowedly going with the need for a reservation policy, the experience is a pointer to the threat that is evidently there in reservation policies that tend to set aside merit; while the reservation policy is fine and justifiable, lowering merit on that count can be detrimental to the society, it can cost life! 

Bravo me! For 3 months, I survived with that precarious condition, and didn't ever lose sleep again.  Managed to keep the cavity clear of food particles. But I too sensed that the cavity was now a gaping hole - and at times, I attempted the 'cotton method' and found it effective.  Dr Babu boosts my morale commending the high threshold of pain tolerance I seem to have - perhaps, it is true.  (Indeed, I seem to have a great capacity to endure pain. A few years ago, when I arrived at the hospital suspecting appendicitis, the doctor was really wonderstruck as to how I endured the pain.  I was immediately taken to the operation theatre for the removal of the same, which was already in an advanced state of infection. Perhaps, an item worth adding to the virtues that one ought to derive from sannyasa - I can meditate, I can wait, I can fast, I can endure pain... Herman Hesse: Siddhartha)

I planned my trip to South from UP sandwiching the treatment between two commitments to environment-related conferences, and reached well in time for the pre-fixed appointment. But the doctor duo got an unexpected engagement and could not make it on Saturday as planned.  Now that the need was mine - I couldn't afford to neglect it,  I persevered, and Dr. Gene prescribed a set of antibiotics to be started prior to the procedure.  Tab Augmentin 625 gm and the antigastric Pantop 40 mg, morning and evening after meals, and Tab Meftal forte to be added after the procedure. I willingly submitted my organic body to the chemical regime. 

I arrived at sharp 3.59.  It was an exclusive appointment for me, cancelling their Sunday outing time.  Before 4.10 a swab was introduced into the affected area, and I sensed gradual numbness.  That was the preparation for the next dose, which was injected, and the pain was tolerable. Another 10 minutes and a third dose of real anaesthetic was injected to make the area ready for the bloody procedure. The doctor explained to me the situation and the procedure in detail. To my great consolation I am given a good news: contrary to my impression,  it's (just) one tooth and not two that was affected.  That is the first molar tooth or wisdom tooth, which is said to grow usually only around the age of 20.  it is a broader one appearing as if it were two teeth, and with its curved centre can get easily affected, unless we take precautions. The tooth was just a shell, and could not hold anything anymore.  Nor can it be pulled out in the usual mode, as it would crumble.  Hence the the structure had to be cut into manageable size, creating a dent in the bone where it is firmly rooted, and then shaken out of its base. 

I had a series of initial pictures taken with the doctor helping.   It appeared horrible, as if it were a cancer. The rasa would be predominantly repugnant (veebhatsa). The doctors now got into action. No longer their typical smooth and polished selves, but like skilled workers taking on the task with all required toughness, at the same time, assuring: Father feel free, if you feel any problem. We are equipped to do with any sort of eventuality. That is indeed a professional expertise and confidence. 

Dr Gene got on to chipping off, with Dr Babu assisting by clearing the 'debris' and mud away.  I can sense the taste and smell of some calcium rock falling apart.  They drill, axe, chip, grind, pound, press, pull ... the pressure is felt, but not the pain. 3.31 to 3.59, they, relishing their professionalism being put to use; I, suffering from keeping my mouth wide open with the aid of a rubber stopper packed between my right jaws.  I ask for a break in between just to relax my jaws. Finally, the harmless appendage of the set of teeth is pulled out, in two sturdy pieces - the gulf between them not bridgeable by any of the usual modes. The entire process gets over much earlier than I had expected.

The doctor reassures me that I could still eat using my left teeth, which I had been using in a very restricted way in the last three months. An additional tablet is prescribed, besides giving me a dose of sweet painkiller (Tab Ketoral) from the stock of samples they are having.  The new one is tab Lysenforte to be taken for 3 days.  The cut, almost 1 inch deep according to the doctor, is sutured, still pain unknown. 

The doctors warn me regarding the precautions to be taken - no hard rinsing of the mouth, nor brushing for the night. No spitting, just follow whatever accumulates in the mouth. Have some smooth food - but definitely solid, so as to combat the impact of the antibiotics on the stomach lining! Ice cream - highly recommended. (This is something like the old adage: milk - what the patient desired and the doctor prescribed! rogi ichchichatum, vaidyan kalpichatum paal.  In my younger days, this would have been a real treat for me - though still not averse to icecream, I am no longer craving for it).  I decide not to tax anyone, rather, get a pack of ice cream as my food for the night. Gradual stretching of the mouth starting with a gap of two fingers and then three;  up to five times in one stretch, with due intervals, will serve as physiotherapy to get the jaws come back to normal functioning overcoming the effects of the anaesthetics. 

I congratulate the doctor team for the hard, skilled, laborious, professional work, and Dr. Gene, enthused about her work, confidently claims that this is her expert area, and she is thrilled to exercise her expertise in the field when warranted. 

Having been away all these days, I still didn't have any Indian rupee with me.  The little I had got exhausted en route to Bangalore.  My card disowns me - it does not agree with the PIN I punch. Fortunately, there is Google Pay, and I could make the payment of the very considerate charges the doctors charged.  But the doctors are confident, even otherwise, they would be paid.  May they be blessed! All appreciation to Koithara Dental Clinic - it is local, it is a family venture from my locality, and it is professional. 

Now it's almost 8 hours! Thank God, it is still bearable, and I have not taken recourse to another painkiller pill! Jaws, so far, are flexible! 

At the end of the day, I marvel at the creation - where everything was found good (Gen 1:31), the kind of packing and fixing of human body. The solid foundation with which the teeth are laid!  There is also a message strong and clear: laxity in protecting your limbs costs you the limb itself! You are not only the steward of the whole earth (Gen. 1:26), but of the microcosm that your body is! And I feel lessons in oral hygiene have to be systematically introduced to the children during the school days.

(Umikkari pic - courtesy: https://www.paticheri.com/2021/02/06/umikari-or-burnt-rice-husk-tooth-powder/) 

Tailpiece: Nov. 27. Malayala Manorama features the news item on the dental association conference where Dr Iyer spoke about the loss of teeth and impact on heart health. 

Nov. 29. Get the stitches removed and the doctor, on examining, discovers two more teeth affected.  One has a cavity, and it is refilled.  The material used is called 'composite' which doesn't show forth as distinct, and it is one step in the advancement of dental science, and the old two-step processes are done away with.  It is cleaning and direct filling, once and for all. 

The other tooth getting affected also requires attention, but can wait. Dr Gene advises that flossing be deployed on a regular basis as a preventive.  

Now with the loss, I am determined to pay greater attention to my oral health! I thank God for this great gift of life - body - organs, specifically my teeth! 

Kochi Stories told by Johny

Kochi in our school days was just Kochi - with attractions like Fort Kochi as the only beach around our place, the Portuguese Church from Vasco de Gama's times, and Mattanchery with its Judapalli (Jewish Synagogue) and Edakochi after Palluruthy - just another Kochi of no great significance, perhaps, one of the farthest bus destinations by private public transport bus from Ernakulam. 

It was the late 90s movies that revealed to people like us who were just about 10 kms from Kochi, that Kochi was another face of Kochi city, we hardly ever used to refer to our place as Kochi, in spite of its being in the heart of Kochi city. The Mammootty dialogue of .... had become a kind of byline for anyone to refer to Kochi as 'Kochi pazhaya  Kochiyalla' (Kochi is not the old Kochi) of Big B, and several other Mammootty and Mohanlal movies depicting the dark side of Kochi came to be known to people like me, especially those who left Kochi in our school days, only through such movies. Kochi of thugs, drug peddlers, mafias, having its own peculiar Malayalam. 

It was in our informal gathering at Qatar that Johny the heartian from Kochi revealed some very special people of the erstwhile Kochi - like Rape Antakka (pardon the misogynistic ring - that was how the locality had taxonomised him), Electric Hamsa, Spring Babu...

Rape Anthakka was notorious for his ability to molest and violate women either as a contract agent for the same or for the satiation of one's own animal instincts. He even announced his arrival in advance and succeeded in ruining the lives of many.  Once he thus announced his arrival at a wedding home, and people were all set to thwart his attempt.  However, he accomplished his act by breaking in unexpectedly through the roof.  The family and relatives were really put off, that they pursued him, and he ran more than 2 kilometers only to be caught, beaten to a pulp and his sexual organ mutilated to pieces. He had to be wrapped in a mat (paya) to be taken away, and that was the end of a notorious character of Kochi.  The audience was expecting something more terrible, more vicious, more wicked...

Then there was electric Electric Hamsa - who was a taskara veeran, and a great terror for people. If Hamsa walked a street, all would just try to keep off, and leave the street all for him. In his old age too Hamsa used to walk around with a dagger.  Once he arrived at a teashop, and dug his dagger onto the tea shop table, and ordered a tea and a banana fried. But the teashop help came up coolly, unhooked the dagger, gave a tea and a banana fried, and instructed: Hamsakka, please go (Hamsakka chellu). That was the transformation that occurred to a local terror of yesteryears. 

Then there was spring Babu who used to spring from one spot to another, and would easily abscond after his petty crimes.  He would come close to people, bend a little, and spring at them unawares, making a noise 'brrrr', making them start.  That was his way of having fun. Then there was Mattancheri Kalapam (riot), perhaps somewhere in the mid-80s, and the place was surrounded by CRPF personnel.  And it was all curfew around. But Spring... tried to go around nonchalantly, and as per his wont, he tried his 'spring action' with the CRPF person around, making him startle, and he pounced upon him, with his colleagues joining the melee, beating him black and blue.  That was the end of Spring  Babu's springing action. 

All these anti-heroes of the region seemed to fizzle out in the superman aura they had built up, and they end up invariably almost as tragic heroes of the legend the local community had woven around them. Johny says there are other characters yet to be revealed - Nazareth Ponnen and Pappachan, Kaki Basheer...

I felt the punch we felt in the narration in a casual post-dinner conversation was lost in narrating it in English

FR FERRER - A FERRETING PREACHER OF DISCIPLESHIP

I had hoped that he would persevere till I reached back. Not that I was all that attached to him.  But I found in him a good soul, and having grown old myself, somebody with whom you could feel comfortable (humanly speaking), in gaining the grace through the sacrament of reconciliation. I will miss him. 

It was the initiative of Fr Benny Nalkara (presently our provincial), and Fr Roy Palatty who could gauge the greatness of the ministry he had accomplished to help him compile the same into a readable form.  If I recall correctly, Fr Benny had done a feature on him in our in-house bulletin highlighting the great ministry, generally oblivious in the mainstream discussions.

He was indeed a powerful preacher of Catholic spirituality (read, Christian discipleship) all through his life - having himself articulated the pillars of his preaching as Simplicity, Bible, well-researched Christian doctrine (ever-updated) foundation and Practicality (what we consider today as per RBT as application).  In the gossip circle - the four pillars were often a butt of ridicule - 'so simple, so biblical, so well-studied, so practical' - thus it went. But the artless soul that he was, he was able to take such banter as a compliment.  To my mind,  he brought about a paradigm shift to the conventional preaching based on the fundamentals of Christian faith, which had a baseline of (holy) terror built on sin, death, hell, purgatory and heaven.  He transformed this conventional preaching with studied inputs on modern Catholic teaching based on the Second Vatican documents and the teachings of the Holy Father from time to time. He appears to have made full use of the training in Christian Biblical Spirituality and the exposure he received in the United States (Catholic University of America, Washington?), to his ministry - a 100-fold productivity! 

I assume, till the ripe old age of 86, he had been active as a preacher, and as he himself would say every year, with his guileless simplicity and with a great sense of satisfaction, 'my calendar is all (booked) full for the coming year'.  From a very casual assessment, I feel that he must have preached at least 1000 retreats.  Perhaps, more. He distinguished himself as a preacher - more so, for priests and religious, than for the parish communities.  Another area of his expertise, on which the CMIs and several other orders counted upon,  was discernment in terms of the vocation to priesthood and religious life. He was in great demand for this taxing task, in which he found great contentment I believe. 

I have heard that he was very meticulous in going by the book as far as religious life is concerned - attending the community prayers, and community activities, adhering to the set norms of accounting etc, at times to the point of irritating others as if it were all a sham.  I don't think so.  I think he was thoroughly ingrained in the old school of religious life with all sincerity. Maybe, he has a record in the congregation for having lived in the same monastery for the longest period - I think he had been at Aluva St. Anthony's monastery for almost 50 years as an inmate. 

In the last 2 decades, he seemed to derive immense satisfaction in leading what has come to be known as the 'Aluva Convention', where he could arrange an array of preachers from all over the state, and manage it as a great event (I resist from saying show).

Personally, we seemed to have a good bond, though we hardly stayed together in one place. Most of the recommendations he had made for admission to the college, in some manner or other, I was able to accommodate, and he was always happy about that. 

I was blessed to be in his company being on a provincial council with him, and then, as well as later, he would boost my morale by admiring that I could do many things at a time, and that I had worked hard. I regret not having even a single picture with him. I also regret I have not been able to say hello to him in the past few months, though I did manage once, soon after his hospitalisation at Rajagiri.  I did believe he would come back soon. Perhaps, the onus of being the senior most member in the province weighed down on him! 

To me, he is someone who had accomplished his mission in life - I always wanted to be someone who did powerful preaching like he did - but has never been one. All the same, I derive a vicarious satisfaction in having him (and lately, a few smart youngsters as well!) as a model who passed on a major component of the founding charism of the CMIs untiringly. 

May the blessed and faithful servant (Lk 12:37) enter into the promised domain of eternal bliss and peace (Mtt 25:23)! May he inspire and empower the growing number of the younger preachers of our community through his intercessions! 

A Thevara Fellowship in Doha - My Last Day in Doha

I thought I would get those who were very close to me in the past 20-odd months of my stay in Doha - juts to have a meal at Nehdi Mandi at Wakra Souq, one of my favourite eating joints in Doha. 

Almost all of the expected friends were there - all in some way connected to Thevara. 

Naturally, it began with Alan, who was my student, who had been there from day one of my arrival to receive me and take me around, and kind of a companion for me, and seeking out opportunities to satiate my thirst for seeing new places and things. He belongs to my parish, and had been a Thevara student from XI grade to PG, and in fact, was instrumental in initiating the alumni chapters of UAE and Qatar, almost like an emissary of the former principal (that is me!).  I had the good fortune of blessing his marriage. Then there was Bijoy, who also was a PDC student of Thevara, but the son of the late Valsa Chechi of Puthullil (Mukkungal), a family with which I was very closely linked. He was also one of the first people in Qatar to get in touch with me, to take me around Qatar, and even give me a ride through the desert sand dunes.   I felt I should have Abin, the son of my cousin Molly Chechi, also from Koramangalath family of Kadavanthra, with which I had a very deep personal attachment from my childhood, and also our parishioner.  And with Abin came, almost as a package, his roommate and Kochiite, Dibin, the entire gang (Alan, Abin, Dibin) having had their schooling in our Perumanoor CCPLM school. Dibin, with a naval band background now serving Qatar police together with Abin,  had been a constant companion on our weekend explorations throughout the coast of the peninunsula. There was Santhosh Mattathil, an active Jesus Youth member, who was a student of Rajagiri when I was a young priest, and whose mom was our parishioner d/o Manickath Pappu chettan. Johny, whose ebullient self was a great asset  for the alumni unit of Qatar for the past one year was very much there - a student of both the school and college, and almost local from Kochi. Then there was Byju, the son of a very loyal heartian Varghese chettan Chackalackal, the taxidermist of Sacred Heart College.  Byju's wife Deepa was the Heartian Alumni Association president, but the gathering was meant for exclusively my friendship circle, rather than the alumni association. Charles, my school friend from Rajagiri through KCSL, and our association having been maintained all through these years, in spite of the very different directions we had taken. (His wife Tessy had been our alumna and an associate of ours as a faculty colleague from St Teresa's.). Then there was another Thevarite - both of the school and college, Thomas, nowadays reverently abbreviated as TKG, who had also been associating with me closely on various issues related to sustainability and has been in the higher circles of industrial executives among Qatar Malayalees. Interestingly, Bijoy, Thomas and Charles had also been the alumni of CET. The principal, and my confrere Fr Joshy was there - an alumnus of SH college and now the patron of the alumni association was there. The only one who didn't turn up was another Thevarite, Mr Biju, who had been associating with me on various issues of development and was into areas of common interest like Yoga. 

I felt a little politically wrong having no women in the company, bordering on being an MCP - but then that is a company, and this had less to do with anything formal, and the freedom men have in men's company is altogether different, having been socialised thus! 

I chose the venue, and without much consultation even the menu - It was Nahdi Mandi at Wakra Souq.  I placed orders for beef mandi and 3 servings of fish.  We were provided one table by assembling three typical tables.  The food was delicious, and I think sufficient, though I would not have minded having had one more serving of the sea bass.  Sulaimani and rice came along with the order, which for me held greater attraction to Nahdi Mandi in comparison to the more popular Daanat al Bahr. We had several pictures clicked. As we wound up, the invitees started insisting that they pay the bill, which was kind of them, but as the host and initiator, I gladly and with some effort successfully resisted it. 

Charles suggested a walk along the beach - which I think was fitting. My first day in Qatar began with such a meal and walk with alumni Alan, Anas and Binoy - 3 themmadis (in an endearing sense) of my times in the college, but who were very good to me here in Qatar on my arrival.  Now the gang was big.  Anas and Binoy were missing. We had a walk along the beach in the cool breeze, and some pictures as well and ended up at the Gharissa ice cream joint said to be owned by the young Qatari Ghanim al Mufta, a victim of caudal regression syndrome, who shot to fame with his beautiful Quranic recitation at the opening of the world cup, and with his rejoinder to the Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman 'with tolerance and respect we can live together under one big home' at the kick off the world cup football at Al Bait (the house) stadium.  (He is now seen as a great motivational speaker - I feel we should have him at the school to address the children.) We were all treated to the expresso coffee mix of Affogatto ice cream - serving the twin purpose of the coffee and ice cream, tinted with regaling tales of Kochi (pazhaya Kochi) by Johny.  I felt they were worth another post. 

Suddenly, we realise it was almost midnight - almost 3 hours spent in good company and simple but delicious food.  Perhaps, to be my last night as a regular resident of Qatar.  As we conclude the daily Qurbana: I do not know whether I will come back again! 

LIGHT IN LIFE* - ENLIGHTENED FOR PEACE

On Deepavali 

My salute to the Lord who is my light

Who promises to always be my light

Ready to wait when I miss his sight

To bring me back on his path ever straight

My school is one big Deepavali

Where teachers light the light of life

Where seekers search for truth alive

Where learners form one big row of light

As pilgrims treading the path of love!

For the nation, it's one day in the year

For the school, it's an everyday affair

To be ever as torches lit

To bear always the torch of thought

To dabble in the light and power of thought

The Master promises to make it light

To take my burdens, to bear my weight

To let me go around light 

With baggages nil or light

To let my little light shine!

I seek to be His light

Amidst the mights that fight

Putting peace to flight

May I be His true light 

Making peace everyone's right! 

*Motto of Rajagiri Kochi

AN EMMAUS TEACHER FOR THE HEARTIANS - FR JOSEPH KAIMALAYIL CMI

REV. FR JOSEPH KAILMALAYIL CMI (1938-2023)

SACRED HEART COLLEGE (1974-94)

When I look back at my acquaintance over 45 years with Fr Kaimala (that's how we used to call him - Kaimala achan), the image that comes to my mind is that of Jesus accompanying the confused disciples on their way to Emmaus, and setting their heart aflame (Lk 24).  Honestly, I am not sure how far he could set the hearts aflame, but definitely, he did accompany, and many an old-time heartian has vouched for the consolation he received from his company. 

My initial acquaintance with him was through my membership in the Cherupushpa Mission League (CML) of which he was the director of SH unit. We had two-day camps where we stayed over at SH College and had some sessions. There were some trips too - two of which stand out in my mind  (i) to pilgrim centres like Koonnammavu, Paravoor, Palayoor etc, and (ii) to Mayilaadumkunnu.  The second was thought to be a very fancy place, from the name - but finally, when we reached there, it was just some hill, there was neither Mayil (peacock) nor aattam (dance).  However, we had a visit to the ashram of Kurishumala, and the high-yielding cows were the most fascinating item of the trip for me.  As the trip was winding up, a prize was announced for the best write-up on the trip, and if I recall correctly, I did give the write-up, and perhaps it was adjudged the best - but with Fr. Kaimala, those days, the prizes were 'medals', which held no fascination for me, even then! 

He was liked by the young people, and he had a way with them - to take them along. I am not sure how that friendship was of use in instilling a favourable condition in the college, as I was neither a student nor a resident of Keralam during those turbulent days of the 80s and 90s. However, I have heard several senior alumni commenting about the two of them - Fr. Kaimala (sometimes, referred to, without any malice, as Fr. Kaimal), and Fr. Varghese Kuzhikanniyil, both of whom belonged to the composite department of Economics.  Later accounts of his dealings with the youth of Thevara tell me that he was a boldacious presence among them challenging them and pointing out to them the facets of life in a realistic manner. But above all, I am happy to link him with the reference to a prayer in the Syro Malabar Eucharistic liturgy - as someone who went about with a maliceless heart and cheerful countenance (nirmala hrudayavum prasanna vadanavum - prayer after reconciliation service and before the Our Father). 

Since I was a student of the campus school of Sacred Heart from 1977 to 80, and as I used to invite him to our informal training sessions of the local KCSL unit, we got rather friendly.  So when I finally made an unexpected decision to join the order as an aspirant, with hardly any consultation with anyone, including my class teacher, Fr George Muttamthottil, I decided to confide the matter with him, and went to bid him goodbye.  And he gave a very classical piece of philosophical advice; perhaps, he too might have received the same from someone: 'Expect the unexpected'.  And I feel that the advice has stood me good, I have found many things unexpected, and in turn, might have been the subject of presenting many unexpected things for the students or the community around, on my part. 

Later on, I learnt that he had guided my all-time favourite organisation KCSL for quite some time - both at the diocesan level and the state level. 

I feel he was a person who could be described countering the famous column by Khushwant Singh, as someone 'with malice towards none' (Khushwant Sing: With Malice Towards One and All).  In his younger days as a CMI, he was known by the religious name 'Procopius' (Incidentally, it fitted him well like a nickname associated with his learning of history - Procopius being an iconic figure in the historiography).  He was said to have been a very vibrant player on the volleyball court.  At Thevara, I have hardly found him in the sports field, perhaps, with the exception of a couple of times in the basketball field. 

For him, Sacred Heart held a very warm and passionate space in his heart. Any gathering at Thevara, he would make an effort to join. The way in which he fought back a very serious illness was remarkable.  And I recall with happiness that he was present at the gathering in Thevara to which I had invited him. As Dr VS Sebastian noted, his presence made a great difference to making the staff relationships warmer and more humane. 

I think the last time I met was about 2 years ago, at Muvattupuzha.  I was there for a night, occupying the room next to his. He was seen to be happy and rather healthy. I regret his departure, though I feel God has been gracious to him to have a life lived long, full and well! I regret all the more that I am not able to bid farewell to him in person. 

May the beloved soul rest with the Lord in joy and peace eternal! 

Mount St. Joseph's, Maryland

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It was a surprise visit, the plan was made on short notice. 

Since Thomas, my neigbour from Thevara and our alumnus (and the youngest son of one of our stalwart math professors) was giving me a ride all the way from New York to Boston, and he had to drive back to Maryland all alone from New York, I thought, I should not let him do that, and decided that I would accompany him back to Maryland, as the trip back from Maryland is a familiar route for me by bus or rail. 

I negotiated with my newly found friend, Rev. Santhosh of the Trinitarian congregation to adjust the day for me to stay at his place, and find some time for our explorations for partnership across the borders in school education.  His enthusiasm for the project was contagious, it was not confined to his institution or congregation, but rather he evinced a capacity to make anybody's good his project.  I was happy to learn that he was a CMI product having had his school education with our Star Jesus High School. 

He accommodated linking me with certain institutions within his otherwise hectic schedule as the pastor of a very large parish of about 2000 members, and the being the President of a very vibrant catholic grade school - St. Mark's - in Ellicott City. 

Against the typical trends in catholic school education, the Baltimore diocese of Maryland presents a bright picture where traditional catholic families make a conscious choice to send their children to catholic schools.  St Mark's attached to the parish is doing well with some 700 students from K to VIII. We visited the neighbouring Mount St. Joseph's High School in the neighbourhood. 

The school was established by the Xaverian brothers in 1876 by Bro Bernadine CFX. He identified the spot and requested the owner to sell the property to establish the school, but the latter was unwilling. Then, as a typical catholic in the tradition of St Joseph devotion, he made a 'bargain' with the saint, that he would dedicate the school after him, if the land could be availed. And in the typical St. Joseph fashion, the owner relents, and the deal is done, and Mt St. Joseph's emerged! Though hardly any Xaverian brother is directly involved in teaching or adminstration, the vision and the spirit are maintained by the adminstration. 

The President of the school and the Principal were busy.  We met with Dr. Clay, the mission director, who is also in charge of Catholic Theology classes for the school for which there were four teachers with the school.  Grades IX to XII had over 800 students. 

The facilities appeared really state of the art - adequate stress is given to physical fitness and sports - with a well-equipped football stadium, indoor basketball courts and gymnasium, vast open areas and greenery, an excellent 3D lab with machines for 3D printing, a spacious dining hall, a student involved experiments in aquaponics, a workshop for skill training in various crafts, and a system of reaching out to the needy in the neighbourhood.

I observed that in spite of its being a high school exclusively for boys, the boys bore a friendly, receptive appearance, not boisterous and not having rebellion written on their faces. I felt at home. The school is said to have good basketball and volleyball teams. 

One of the student projects was the preparation of a way of the cross on the campus, with the stations being identified, copied and manufactured and installed in an appropriate place. Much skill learning happens by means of this. A small chapel serves as a centre for spiritual energisation. 

I felt that the key differences from the Indian schools were: (i) involved and activity/problem-centred learning (ii) the importance given to sports (iii) the friendliness of the teachers.  This is from my observation of a few other US schools as well.  On the other hand, in general information and math achievement at the end of the school, on average, the Indian school student may be far ahead.  Teachers of Indian schools appear to be younger, smarter and better qualified. A trend with school leadership is that of having higher degrees, including Ph D for top leaders of the school. 

The tall tower of the school is more than 100 years old, and is out of bounds for the students, except on the day of their graduation. They are permitted to climb up and place a brick with their name on it on that day! 

It was a sunny day in the fall, and the campus was all bright with the maples and other trees in very attractive colours. The campus opens up for prospective candidates,  one of these days when they could come accompanied by their parents, explore the campus, and see if that fits them. There would be presentations and snacks as well. 

We are eagerly looking forward to partnering with them in academic and cultural exchanges - offline and online - between our schools at the student and faculty levels. 

A Chapel in the Mall and CMI Fellowships on the East Coast

Ever since I had been hearing about our taking over the mission named: 'A Chapel in the Mall' in 2016, I was curious to see for myself what this was all about.  But since then, I had just one occasion to visit the US, and that too, for a short stint of one month, which left me with no time to explore. However, this time, when I called up my younger confrere and long-time friendly acquaintance, Fr Amal Naduvilezhath CMI, his enthusiastic response made me determined to find some time to go to Boston, and visit with him.  His present mission partner, Fr Bijo, fresh from our Kochi province, was an added incentive for me to make the 250-mile trip,  I was trying to find the ways and

means to go there, when I recalled the offer of another good young friend, Thevara neighbour, our alumnus and the son of one of our beloved stalwart math leaders, Prof. P.O. Devassia, Thomas Plackal. Over the years, we had developed some level of friendship, and I decided to check if I could count on his offer. And he had no hesitation in confirming it. 

I realised it was a tough task - having to ride almost 250 miles to pick me up, another 250 to reach me Boston, and then drive back the entire stretch of 500 miles. However, I thought that was the best option I had.  Any mode of public transport - bus or train - was bound to cost me much more in terms of both time and money.  And perhaps, my additional agendas en route could hardly be fitted into the frame. So, though with some reluctance, I decided to bank on the offer. 

Then there was the need to get a clearance from the pastor - Fr Robbins was generous to say okay to the proposal. I decided to accompany Thomas back to Baltimore so that he could have company, and I could fit in another of my planned visits to promote academic partnerships between schools. 

October 29th, had no semblance of the warmth and joy of the Lord's day - it was a very wet wet day, with rain accompanying us all through the trip. But we managed to arrive at the CMI residence at Peabody, just around 6.30 pm. almost 1 hour and a half beyond our initial estimate. Amal and Bijo warmly welcomed us,  accompanied by the warm Indian fragrance of fish fried in coconut oil.  We did not delay in placing ourselves around the fellowship table, and being treated to pal kappa (a special preparation of Cassava in milk and sauteed thereafter). fried rice, chicken curry and King fish fried, followed by Peccan apple pie, with smooth Californian Caliveda red wine to help water it down. We continued to discuss the pathetic religio-socio-politics of our state, till Amal was almost dozing at the table. 

Our proposed morning walk was prevented by the insistent rain. And by 8 am, the duo were proving their culinary skills with standard palappam and chicken curry, and a well-blended cafe latte stirred to perfection. We went to the mall ahead of its regular opening time taking into account our need to cover the long distance with several stopovers on the way. 

The Mall - North Shore & the Chapel

On arrival, it beggarred imagination.  Where I had a structure of 2 or 3 floors, a maximum of 50 to 100 meters in length, we were presented a sprawling structure, spread over a vast area of 1700000 square feet! And to learn that such grand-scale thinking was not a new thing, but something which occurred as early as 1960, was another surprise.  But my appreciation was for Cardinal Cushing who thought that 'it was time for the Church to reach to the people out in the marketplace, rather than wait for them in the parish church'!  That was far-sightedness and entrepreneurial! 

The original Carmelites (O Carm - Order of Carmelites) of the US took up the responsibility. When they found it difficult to provide personnel for the mission, they looked for another carmelite group, and finally met with the CMIs.  Since the handing over, Fr Amal (officially, Jilson George; though I feel the name familiar to us, Amal  - immaculate - is much more CMI and meaningful!), who is a Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology has been in charge of this very unique ministry. 

I was surprised to learn that 2 daily celebrations of the eucharistic liturgy on all weekdays, are attended by around one hundred people, and there is almost a non-stop call for the sacrament of reconciliation. The chapel can comfortably seat 300 people. The wooden statues of various saints are sober. I think it is a noiseless, meaningful and beautiful ministry!  The ministry also includes the management of a shop for pious articles, which also serves as a means for sustenance of the mission, besides providing jobs for four people. 

The space is rented and monthly an amount of $11000 has to be paid, other services like power and water additionally.  It is said that the contributions of the beneficiaries and the income from the shop put together, the ministry is self-sustaining. 

We had a quick walk around the sprawling complex, which served to contribute to my daily fitness target of 10,000 brisk and vigorous steps.

Thus the CMIs have been able to have a foothold in the Catholic region of Boston in the North East of the USA. I felt proud to read the name board on the house at 30 Diane Road, Peabody- Carmelite House

 

A Detour to Walden

https://prasantamcmi.blogspot.com/2023/11/eco-spirtual-trek-with-thoraeu-walden.html

On the way to Peabody, I examined what else could be achieved at Boston - a visit to the great centre of learning, Harvard, or a visit to the location of Boston Tea Party of high-school history lessons?  Then I recalled vaguely Walden and Thoeau's experiments with 'living deliberately'.  And lo, a good search revealed that it was not all that far or out of the way to Rhode Island our next destination. 

Thomas was ready for anything, and willingly agreed to do the detour.  In half an hour we were around the heritage site of Walden Pond, an estate where the young Harvard radical, Henry David Thoreau chose to live his life 'deliberately'.  

CMIs in Rhode Island - Sherlock Holmes Parathinal & Hindi Scholar Cyriac

The combined parish of St. Theresa of Lisieux, Harrisville has Rev. Jose Parathinal, my senior confrere as the pastor.  Equipped with Indian and church law degrees, he is now appointed as a judge of the diocesan court. He is assisted by Rev. Cyriac Kalambatt, another veteran from the field of school education, who was considered an authority of English and Hindi in Bijnor region, one of the few to have obtained a regular Master's in the two languages in those times. (It happens that Parathinal and me are 2 other Hindi graduates, perhaps the only two other, besides him from those who got trained there). I recall our adventure together when he got his new Kawazaki Bajaj 2-stroke bike (which was a trendsetter in the motorbike industry in India in the 90s).  I went with him to New Tehri, riding all the way up the hill station from Najibabad, and we reached there late in the night. With Parathinal, we had the adventure of solving the mystery of the disappearing support staff and money at Damdeval (Garhwal).  It was assumed that the tribal boy from Bihar might have stolen the money and run away. The priest staying there alone didn't feel safe, and the bishop felt that he needed to be supported.  So when Parathinal arrived from a trip to Keralam, he asked him to come along, and I too was included in the team. On reaching the place after a tiring four-hour drive, Parathinal went about looking around the house in a typical Sherlock Holmes style,  and then we stepped out, he in the lead and a couple of us following. After a few hundred yards, he stopped, and observed and declared that the boy had been killed.  He referred to a foul smell and the swarming flies from under the culvert.  And he went ahead and found a heap of river stones under which was someone buried, assumably the boy. 

Though a sad story, the mystery was solved, and the police were informed and they initiated steps as per the law, and we returned without delaying much. That indicated his daring instincts at solving problems, which I think has stood by him all these years.  Later, he was asked to serve in the US, which I feel should not have been the case. However, he has left his mark wherever he has been. 

This year as the parish celebrated its centenary, he has executed a befitting jubilee memorial. This is a circular rosary garden with 10 standing marble tablets, depicting the 20 instances of the salvific mystery unravelled in Jesus. The outer ones present the joyful and luminous mysteries, while the inner ones present the sorrowful and glorious mysteries. The beautiful artwork is fully pencil sketched, and then laser copied to marble slabs.  The artist went out of his way to include among the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit at the Pentecost, the commissioner of the artwork, Rev. Parathinal as well, sporting his spectacles!  I recommended that his plans to lay a boundary for the garden around the rosary slabs be substituted with a bio-boundary, befitting the Laudato Si spirituality. 

He was keen to familiarise us with the unique aspects of the Church campus -  it is the first ever parish dedicated to St. Theresa of Lisieux, even before her canonisation; it has one of the 3 or 4 replicas of the Holy Stairs (Santa Scala - said to be the stairs that Jesus climbed to praetorium to listen to the judgement by Pilate - believed to have been transported to Rome by Constantine,  replaced by new steps in place of the ruined steps in 1520 by Pope Sixtus V, now to be found before the Lateran Basilica, and to be climbed on knees); a garden of the saints, statues of various venerations of the Blessed Mother Mary etc.  The parish campus is vast and beautiful. 

The statue of Mother Teresa has a long story to unveil - the contribution of a Hindu Doctor living in neighbourhood, who is said to have received the support of St. Anthony's 'special powers', and in return wanted to do something as a token of his gratitude. 

Fr Cyriac is yet getting familiar to the new situation and culture.  Then there was Fr Jose Mapillamattel, who happens to be a heartian of the  the 1980s vintage, and always a welcoming senior. He drove some 45 miles from the historical Narragansett to join the group.  We decided to have some lunch outside - the fancy place of the locality was 'Rice Bowl', which is a unique 'all you can eat' place, worth visiting, even if you didn't have a stomach for an 'all-you-can-eat'.  Then we learn that it is not open till evening on weekdays. We try Uncle Ronnie's Red Tavern, and there the story is repeated - perhaps, weekdays in a small town do not provide sufficient customers to keep the joints open. Finally, we find a place open at noon - a pub - Lindy's Tavern. It was a friendly place. The food was good, though not very familiar.  We had a good time, and then bid goodbye to the company. 

(Five) Hundred miles... A Long Ride Back 

Thomas proved his toughness, despite his frail frame - with just about 2 breaks - one for a power nap, and another for a cup of coffee, we went non-stop, rain accompanying us almost non-stop, and we hit St Mark's rectory in Ellicott city, Baltimore by 10.40 pm. Almost 500 miles covered in the day, and for Thomas, another 40 miles to go. 

A marvellous trip!