Report of 31 Dec 2022

 Good evening!

It is the end of the year.  Scott is on the love-seat opposite and I am electing to sit on the sofa instead of at the dining table, because working together is nice.  

There were a lot of observations this year, not the least of which is this: poor people get treated shabbily.  I helped handle a medical emergency while travelling from Europe to Chennai.  The flight had to be diverted to Mumbai, which is a first for me, this diversion; we had to send the patient to a hospital in Mumbai.  On arrival in Mumbai, the patient's blood sugar was 13, which is incompatible with life, if untreated.  We were fed 2 hours after take-off during the 10-hour flight and then nothing after that in economy class; business class had snacks set out.  As I said to the airline when I sent feedback, someone suffering from low blood sugar might not have the wherewithal to *ask* for a snack, and that said snacks should be freely set out in the galley.   

That's the airline industry, though, isn't it.  A cheaper ticket merits nothing during travel; if one shows up late for that flight and misses it, a fresh (very expensive) ticket must be bought.  Cheaper tickets also mean one sits in less-desirable seats, etc.  With a captive market, airlines find no need to be humane.  Especially to those who pay less.

The airline industry used to be different, no?  It was not this cut-throat, money-making machine it has become.  

So, if you are poor, you are hosed.  Scott is very amused at my bewildered realisation of this truism.

Among other observations, people are not prone to taking care of themselves.  I had to help with another medical emergency when we travelled by train.  This time, chest compressions had to be employed and pulse was regained.  As I returned to my seat, a fellow passenger said he could offer aspirin if we needed it, blowing my mind that I was travelling with others not in optimal health.  I do a lot of preventive medicine education and have quickly realised that people do not at all care about eating healthy or exercising, there is a hefty sense of omnipotence.  

Other thoughts: our transwoman daughter is happy and our cis-man son is happy, also.  Nat, the former, now wears women's clothes and is happily "out."  In my initial conversations with friends, some were distressed at this news and I was somewhat tentative with whom I mentioned it to; now the news comes freely out.  Trans is a state of being that is from within; as gay people said, given the ostracism in the land, would they choose to be gay?  Nat is engaged to a cis-man, James, who is loving, kind and smart - suiting Nat to a T.  When she dropped us at the shuttle stop for us to take a bus to O'Hare airport, I got an extra hug.  It was nice to see my child happy.  

Naren bounded around being homeless, acting in a play here, staying with a generous cousin there, etc.  He is engaged to Rebecca, also an actor.  They came to India for 3 weeks earlier this month and it was lovely having them here.  They ate what I cooked, worked, talked, did yoga, travelled, endured ailments, and rolled with everything.  It was nice.  They are moving to NY.  

No wedding dates for either party.  That may be the new fashion du jour.  

While ruing the state of affairs for those with less money, I must also say it is quite spectacular to work with an organisation that is part of the solution.  I went to buy some earrings for Rebecca as a Christmas present and complimented the woman owner on her shop.  She stated she was going out of business, regretfully.  I went there again earlier this week and loaded up on things that I can gift later, and put the owner in touch with the Banyan.  The coordinator of the vocational training department messaged me today that the Banyan can indeed use this lady's services and I was happy.  While said lady might not become a millionaire at the Banyan, she can certainly get back on her feet and find the confidence and wherewithal to work towards becoming wealthy and self-sufficient.  Magnificent place, the B.

Here's the other part of the B: relatively poor people gift generously to those they love.  Rebecca and Naren, on visiting Kovanda Kurichi, were gifted 5000 bucks.  In any currency, that's a lot of money and I was flabbergasted.  On asking Jackulin and Amali, leaders of the KK project, why they had to give that much cash, they stated that it was for the couple to buy something they wanted, that what KK bought for them might not be that useful.  It was a very sweet thought, and extremely generous, the 5000-Rupee gift.  Memorable, too.  Like Jackulin and Amali.  

And a good marriage is nice, isn't it.  I spoke with a friend whose marriage is rocky and all of us are sorry.  As Scott and I spoke today and we figured out how different we are, I remain grateful that this man lives in India with me and has helped me do what I want: work for the poor, laugh a lot daily, and raise 2 children.  This is good.  

As are wonderful friends.  I remain grateful for everyone's presence in my life, whether I have seen you or not.  There is something quite enormously soothing about being surrounded by lovely people, on this side of the planet or that.  Thank you for all that you have done for me.  

Happy and healthy 2023 to you and yours!

R

Report of 14 Dec 2022

 Hello!

Been a while since I wrote.  

Hope all are well.  We are, and are aging.  We are in India, and here's what has happened since the last time I wrote.  

We were in Chesterton, IN, in fall 2021, working at a splendid hospital closeby.  Chesterton also suited us to a T - loving, accepting landlady + fiance; fine people; good restaurants and plenty of scenery.  At the hospital, I saw a fair number of unvaccinated COVID patients, often with poor outcomes.  How a vaccine became a political statement instead of the public health issue it is, is mystifying to me.  

We returned to India, and spent Christmas with my father in Madurai.  Extended family - siblings and siblings-in-law - also gathered, and it was nice.  Back to Chennai and hung out until Feb 2022, when we got a phone call from Scott's sister, that his mother had been hospitalised.  Moments later, she was intubated - placed on a ventilator to help her breathe.  Scott and I hastened to Dayton, Ohio, were kindly met by our daughter and her fiance, who drove us to Dayton.  

Scott's mother, Janet, held on until we were at bedside.  Scott had 2 good visits with her, though she was not completely conscious.  She died on 1 March 2022, and it was good that we were there.  I miss her, and have a little sugar bowl that came from her, on our dining table.  

I stayed on in Dayton, Ohio, to work at the same hospital where Jan had been hospitalised.  It was a good experience, and we appreciated being close to family and friends there.  We finished my assignment and returned to India to celebrate India's 75th Independence Day at home.  That was nice.  In October, we went to the U.S. to see Naren in a play; he tested positive for COVID and the showings that would have been possible for us to attend were cancelled.  We went to Dayton to work for a few days and then moseyed home to India.  

I continue with my telemedicine and healthy weight practice here.  Naren, our son, and his fiancee, Rebecca, are visiting and it has been very nice to have them here.  Nat, our daughter, and her fiance, James, are stateside; we saw them over the summer and that was also fun.  We met James's mother, Tina, and her husband, Jeff, and that was easily 1 of the highlights of our trip: they are extremely affectionate and fun people, and adore our daughter.  We are lucky.  

May you have plenty of luck in your life and day!

Unw -

R