At the end of June we took the family to see the newest MA Center outside of Chicago. We stayed in a little hotel not too far from the center. The people working at the hotel were so sweet and welcoming. I was reminded of my time attending college in the midwest, and the kind of people that part of the country grows. As we drove to Amma's center for the first time I gazed out the window at country roads that resembled roads I used to bicycle on, thirty years ago as a young college student, mostly flat with a few hills, my heart beating so fast to the rhythm of the ride. Nothing but open skies and opportunity is what it felt like then, and in some ways how it felt this summer too.
We had heard about this new MA Center for a few years from our friend Ron who has been instrumental in getting the property purchased, remodeled, and has overseen so much of the work done to create a beautiful place for people to live, farm, meditate, and see Amma on her yearly visits. The property used to house an Episcopal boarding school. When we turned onto the main drive and I saw all the little houses that probably used to belong to faculty members, I felt a wave of peace and excitement come over me. I immediately felt at home in this new place.
We spent a few days there attending programs, eating delicious meals, and connecting with friends in the Amma community. And of course getting Amma's famous hugs. We all participated in seva (service) this summer, each time we saw Amma. Gary and Annabel liked serving food. I helped at the IAM (meditation) table and served food and chai. Sky and I chopped veggies. Shawn sold and served popcorn with other kids. He looked after the younger kids and because fun is important too, he played a lot of basketball.
