Vanakkum Spirit

Vanakkum is the way the people in Tamil Nadu greet you.  They usually put their hands together near their upper chest and say this with a beautiful smile and a slight bow of the head.  It also can mean do you have enough to eat.  I love this word and the love that is behind it.  

Today I went to the Moot Colony.  There are only a few patients there they sure do have the "Vanakkum spirit."  There was one beautiful lady that was on the road saying this to us as our medical vans pulled in.  Her small, leprosy affected hands were held together near her charming face that had a warm smile on it.  She told me her name, which has left my memory, but her face will always be there.

Some of these patients are deeply affected by this disease.  Krishnan is one of them.  He places his body most times on a wheeled cart and moves himself around.  When not on it he is able to navigate on all fours in a crab crawling fashion.  The disease has taken away his hands and his feet. 

 His sweet wife takes care of him.  She is leprosy affected as well.  The disease has taken away her sight completely on the right side.  All four limbs are affected but she is still able to take care of their basic needs.  She is a tiny woman and her caring spirit for her husband is evident.  I have witnessed this time and time again.  Those with less offer so much to others.  The Indian people have a wonderful way of showing affection.  Many times over I have received a kiss from them.  They do this by kissing their fingers and putting it on your face.  I have adopted that sign of affection.  This woman gave me a kiss like that and I received it and returned one to her.

She had her small  foot bandaged and also had an ulcer on the knee.

My job was oiling the feet.  I love doing this as it is such an intimate way to show love for another.  While I was massaging the small feet and rubbing the oil on the patient's affected limb I was internalizing how this small act makes me feel inside.  I felt love not pity for these people.  My goal was to make their feet feel clean, massaged and show that I care.  I know the act is simple but it is looking into their eyes while doing it that is more powerful.  I may not speak the language but my eyes do.

Carl clipped off bandages and washed feet.

Miranda assisted Navumani with bandaging

I didn't get to do many feet today but as I sat there quietly and watched and listened to what others were doing and saying, I was filled with gratitude and love for the people I was serving with and the people we were visiting.  I saw one of our patients, Jayraj, lifting up the spirits of others by sharing his gregarious laughter and love of song.  He entertained us all and does not allow leprosy to bring him down.  The power of a positive attitude was evident in the way he lives life.  I saw Miranda making friends with a small girl.  I saw Berlyn, Callie and Carl making jokes and putting smiles on our faces. I saw Julie quietly taking pictures and socializing with the people.  I saw the nurses looking out for everyone and taking great care that we all were safely administering care and that the patients were getting all they needed.  I saw Anandon and Velu, our drivers, be at the ready for anything that was needed.  The people that surrounded me today are the embodiment of what my Savior and our living prophet have taught us to be like. 

Berlyn took blood pressure today with every patient.

Jayraj made our time there so much fun!

Isn't she lovely?  They all are.

As we backed away from the colony, I sat in the front seat next to our positive, kind driver, Anandon.  I made eye contact with that same lovely woman who greeted us.  She waved goodbye and blew a kiss.  I felt it and I never want to forget that connection.  Once again, the people of India continue to make their way into my heart ever deeper than the day before. Vanakkum spirit.