The holidays are times to spend with friends and family… We eat alot… We give and receive happiness, joy, love, and of course gifts when we can…

This year I thought that I was spending the season far from friends and family and that it didn’t feel at all like Christmas. It has been quite some time since I spent a Christmas away from home. I resolved with myself to try and put it out of sight, out of mind, and focus on the task at hand; teaching the monks. In one month I will be home in Chicago and I decided that my celebrations would be then.

Little did I know. Yesterday, Jhampa Losal la asked many times about what I did for Christmas and what they could do to make my holiday special. I said numerous times that nothing was necessary, I don’t like for them to go out of their way for me around here, though they often do!

Tonight Lokman prepared a feast for all! Instead of the usual Tukpa, or noodle soup, (or perhaps tonight is supposed to be fried rice night?), we had a multi-coursed meal of goodies! Special veg rice and noodles, a thick and rich curried dal (lentils), sauteed veggies, amazing sauteed mushrooms with ginger, Chicken for the carnivores (or monkey monsters as I affectionately call them), fresh salad veggies and bananas with curd. It was absolutely great and best of all I know that it was made with joy and love.

After dinner, I made the rounds talking with the monks about the holidays and about life… The usual after dinner chit chat and surely one of the highlights of each day!

Suddenly one by one they showered me with kattas (scarfs given out of respect and also for good wishes), they had gotten me Christmas cards, some special Ladahki dried apricots, and many even gave me chocolate!! They know the way straight to my heart

I was so touched and at that very moment I had another moment of aha! and realized that I am not only exactly where I want to be in this world on this day, but even more so that I am where I need to be. I am surrounded by my newest friends and I am surely surrounded by my new found IBA family.

Then the photos started. I now know what it must feel like to either get married or to be a b-movie star. What began as one or two of us in a group, turned into photos of all 30 with me, then one by one I posed with this monk and that monk. It was really special… I hope that they bring a little bit of a smile to your face. I know that they brought a huge one to mine.

Sometimes life doesn’t go exactly how we planned for it to go. We wind up in places we never imagined we would be, doing things that we hadn’t even thought of doing. But, I still believe honestly from my heart, that all things happen for a reason and that the path unfolds before us. I may not be where I thought that I was going to be this year, but I am surely doing what I know in my heart I am meant to be doing.

And after being showered with cards, kattas, chocolates, warm wishes, and photo flashes; It sure feels great to know that I am not the only one that is happy with me being here!