Tag: firsts

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A day of new experiences

This morning I had a “line placement” appointment. This is the line that will be used to circulate my blood while extracting the stem cells, to be restored later.

So, I somehow imagined it would be something along the lines of a glorified IV, but I was wrong.

My first clue should have been when the appointment details included the phrase “vascular access.” A big second clue was the fact that I was actually admitted to the hospital for the procedure, even though I didn’t have to remain in the hospital.

At any rate, it ended up being a morning of “firsts” — my first time being wheeled through hospital corridors from the prep room to the procedure room; my first time having oxygen tubing placed at my nostrils (just in case); my first time receiving IV sedation; my first time getting a tunneled catheter placed in a vein near my heart(!); and, finally, my first time being pushed in a wheelchair by one of the attendants to the parking lot afterwards.

All this was on top of yesterday’s rush of packing, the drive down, and afternoon appointments. Needless to say, I spent the rest of today in rest and recovery mode.

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More about the concert

There were many, many wonderful things about Wednesday night’s concert.

First and foremost, for me personally, is that it was the first time since last December that we could actually sing in the Temple of Light! Che gioia!

Another thing that made it special was collaborating with a team of young people from our Expanding Light Ashram. We worked together on planning the program, plus they wrapped their auras around many of the technical and promotional aspects. Yay, team!

Every program we’ve put on since the beginning of the pandemic has been a “first,” as each event had to be adjusted for ever-changing circumstances. On this concert for the first time we combined live performers in the Temple of Light, live performers in other locations around the world, and pre-recorded videos. It definitely kept our sound and video team on their toes!

Finally, I want to highlight a couple of special moments during the evening. Throughout this program I was much more aware of challenging global realities; much more so than during previous “worldwide” concerts that we’ve produced.

I was especially moved when our dear friend in Tel Aviv sang:
Lightly I fly when I live in laughter,
Lightly I fly when my heart sings.
Fling to the ground every heavy burden.
Now I can soar up above the clouds!
It was even more touching when her close spiritual friends in California joined her via the magic of video!

Then there were our friends in Mumbai. They were dealing with the double challenges of COVID and a cyclone, but that didn’t stop them from joining us live (at 8:30 in the morning their time!) to celebrate Swamiji.

As an appreciative friend/audience member put it: “I love our international concerts… Swamiji wanted us to join together around the world, and you have all made it so.”