the floodgates open

The chanting and the recorded gamelon music begins at the main temple of the village at five a.m. and lasts for thirty minutes. This morning I could still hear it in the forest at six thirty, and assumed something was going on today. I asked ketut, and he thought a moment and then said "oh, yes." And told me the name of the holy day which symbolizes the opening of the gates to the gods again, after they closed on the tenth day over a month ago, which symbolized them returning to the heavens after residing down here with us. Now the floodgates were opened again and people could begin to have ceremonies, weddings and celebrations again as the gods were available to preside. The Balinese month is 35 days, and so this was exactly a month after the last celebration.  And we would be going in the afternoon to the family temple in the village today to make the monthly offerings…a small gathering of the neighbors, which gives energy to the temple and surroundings on a regular basis and unites everybody for a higher purpose.

I told ketut that I was going to go get some rice and soap at the local shop and would be back in a little while. He suggested that if I am already going to walk, after having been homebound for a few weeks, that I should walk to the beach. "It is better for you to go to the beach today. And also better for the universe on this day to go to the beach. I will buy the rice and detergent for you." I thanked him and was happy at the idea of finally walking to the beach again. I had been careful how much I walked each day so that the different blisters and stubbed toe that were healing, could do so quickly and without infection. So now, doctors' orders to go to the beach! Great.

I walked through the narrow forest path which used to be a daily ritual, but now felt like a special treat. There was a silence in the air, and not a soul in sight even though it was already 7:30. When I arrived a few minutes later, I was so happy to again see the glittering sea reflecting the sunshine and the abandoned shore, a few fishermen out on their boats, and the tide far out at sea. I sat there for hours, just feeling the nice breeze, enjoying the shade of the huge trees, again in touch with the healing energy I feel there. He was right…the floodgates were open. I was so grateful that at least he had recognized how my soul needs the energy from the sea, and sent me there. I had gotten used to just being with the kids all day and doing the household chores, all enjoyable, but not alone and just to nourish me, like I used to do.

After a few hours I felt recharged and ready to return to daily life again. When I returned home the kids were just coming from school so it was perfect timing. We had our little cooking lesson of crepes and soup and then they began to draw in the sketch books I gave each of them. After a few minutes the little four year old, who a month ago was kicking the colored pencils and scribbling black angry marks on his pages, suddenly walked into the kitchen while telling me to close my eyes, one two three. At the count of three when I opened them, I saw a beautiful first drawing of a bright yellow sun that he showed me. My eyes glowed and my mouth dropped open in surprise at the positive changes he is going through during the month and a half we are together. I told him how beautiful it is. He quickly offered to teach me how to do it too, demonstrating in the air how to draw the big circle first and then each line. The television is off for hours, he is happy and laughing and joining in with the other kids, has learnt to be an excellent cook, loves riding his bicycle on the new road and enjoys cuddles and doing cartwheels and headstands!

The grandmother who lives on the compound, and is my age, has been sick for the whole month. Such a strong earth woman, suddenly just sitting quietly and staring out into nothingness. But today she sent me her delicious soup, came over a few times to see how the bale building was coming along and to speak with her grandchildren, Yes….the floodgates have opened. Things are in flow again.