India: A friendship that transcends all boundaries

Jitesh, Kavita, David, me, and Ruprekha.

We spent Sunday walking and climbing the stairs of a mosque (Jama Masjid) in old Delhi as well as trekking in Red Fort.  It was extremely arduous for me, made more difficult by a 3 hour traffic jam.

But more about this tomorrow.

What I want to feature now is our wonderful dinner Sunday night with my blog friends, Kavita and Ruprekha, and Kavita’s brother (Jitesh).  Here we are at Edesia, a restaurant in our hotel (the Crowne Plaza Okhla).

What is unusual about this meeting is that we had known each other through my blog.  In fact, Kavita posted her first comment on my blog in 2008, when Kay had written about the luncheon I had hosted at my home for her and Art.  Kavita continued to comment on my blog.

In April 2011, she phoned me from her home in Assam, India to wish me well after my hospitalization.  I was uplifted by her moral support.

In December 2011, I had a second bout of Bell’s Palsy. The neurologist told me it was rare to have this type of ailment twice. I was devastated and extremely depressed.   Kavita started a prayer chain on her blog, and more than 50 people responded with a prayer for my recovery.  It must have worked, because I am now 95% cured.

What I am trying to say is that Kavita is more than a blog friend.  She is a kindred spirit, whom I like and admire with all my heart. 

Ruprekha caught my eye, when she wrote about her job, rescuing babies abandoned in trash cans, taking them to an orphanage, giving them medical treatment, and arranging their adoption.  I think everyone should donate to this charity.  I have.

Jitesh is special, because of his much needed advice.  He brought me a 5-day supply of an antibiotic for my toe infection, recommended that David and I take malaria pills, and, finally but not least, recommended Edesia as the restaurant for our meeting.

A splendid time was held by all.  I truly hope our friendship transcends all boundaries and lasts forever.