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Hey Friends, Dad and I’ve been in the garden by the lake for nearly a month now (glad everyone has enjoyed the bike videos from back before we came here). In this place we live life slowly. This is definitely the most simplified environment I’ve ever looked after Dad within, and in some ways it is the least challenging. My friend Shiva is tireless. He takes care of all the cooking, laundry and Easy handles what cleaning he doesn’t do. I’m not really responsible for anything aside from Dad. He made it up all 200 stone steps recently without me carrying him at all! There have been days when Dad’s said: “I have Huntington’s disease,” “it’s hard,” “I’m not doing well on the chess board,” or “ I don’t want to play,” and It breaks my heart a little, but I’ve been learning to lead more gently and we’ve been winning greater victories. Pop told me I’m a blessing and I said “you’re a blessing too.” He responded: “Oh good a double blessing… at least that.” I suppose real blessing is always mutual and relational. One chess game Dad moved his queen into danger. I told him that I could take it and he said: “No way Jose, I’ll make a different move” it made me smile. Our game isn’t exactly competitive, but more about making the game happen. I’m not sure which of us gets more excited when he wins :-) I’m his guide as we trek the yawning chasms of time that have opened to us. Such rich places lie within and I equip his spirit for the journey with thoughts that spark his own. Stimulating him and drawing out his deeper self is often searching through a thick fog, but we grope our way excitedly forward. I’ve ideas but they must kindle his own before there’s appeal, and sharing is an act of teamwork and patience. The art I’m learning to practice is one of framing sings such that he is attracted and able to pursue communion. I’m attentive and watch for the open spaces we can come out into. Reaching them he finds the potential to produce and share ideas of his own. Catalyzing his ability to know and express himself are the steps we take together. In the rich places he is heard and knows through our relationship that he is valued. Pop often mentions how pretty it is here. Recently he said: “just look at those mountains! They’re BEAUTIFUL.” When we were walking back from the swim spot he said: “who’s idea was this” I told him it was God’s idea but, he told me about it first. “You’re a good son, just look at this lake! Thank you Son.” I told him that we make a good team and he gave me a great hug :-) My friend Jess is back after knocking out a 300km circuit of the Annapurnas. She’s really helped me see what it is I’m doing and her company has been a huge encouragement. The three of us are off to India shortly where we’ll make the movie. I covet your prayers and am so blessed to have you in my corner. Thank you.
Love,
-Jonathan
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Email Update Oct. 11
Namaste!
My pace has slowed down considerably in the past week, and I’ve been enjoying life at a more relaxed rate. With less than three weeks left before I fly back to Alaska, I’ve turned that corner in attitude that finally comes when in an exciting place far from home – it’s going to be wonderful as always to arrive home, but by now it’s the leaving that is going to be difficult. I’ve been day hiking, swimming, reading, and taking in the endlessly captivating view that is Fewa Lake. It’s great to sit at Anadu Gardens and look across at the city of Pokhara; it’s a different vibe here on this side of the lake.
My dear friend Jonathan and I have been enjoying this little paradise on the lake, along with Easy and Shiva, the couple who run the guest house, and Peter, Jonathan’s father. Peter lives with Huntington’s Disease, a neurological disorder that most obviously affects muscle coordination, as well as some cognitive function, and requires, at this point, one-on-one care. I don’t have the words or time to do justice to how Jonathan takes on this responsibility. With seemingly unflappable, tireless patience and caring, and unfailing good humor he tends to his father’s every need. A question Peter often puts forth is “How have you been?”, and today Jonathan reponded with, “I’ve been doing what I’m made to do, Pop.” I can only hope that I find what I’m made to do as certainly as he has. Here at Anadu, with Easy and Shiva’s cheerful involvement, both Peter and Jonathan have been relaxing and experiencing what Fewa Lake has to offer, from fresh papayas to paragliding. Peter came on one of our swimming excursions at a waterfall, as well as boating to an island temple and a local fish restaurant.
Yesterday morning, Jonathan and I hiked up to the World Peace Pagoda and ended up making an adventurous ridgewalk and circuit down through villages and terraced rice fields back to the guest house. After one exploratory hike up behind the guest house a few days ago, I discovered my first leech ever (and I do go swimming in lakes back home) – and quickly had to quell the squeamish horror I felt to pick off leeches two through twelve. Since then, leech checks are routine and unexciting. Shiva has taken to just shaking his head as we straggle in, wet from swimming, covered in thorns and stickers from bushwhacking, bleeding down the legs from leech bites, but grinning nevertheless.
Tomorrow, we start traveling back towards Dehradun in India, where Jonathan and Peter spent two weeks in September traveling about via motorcycle. Working with Jonathan’s friend Bikku, the father-son team is the focus of a documentary film. Jonathan’s blog, some photos, and edited videos are all found at www.fatherspirit.com. (Click on the title links on the entries to see the videos) I’m excited about the final leg of my trip, riding in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas on the back of a motorcycle! Two days of buses and trains will see us in Dehradun on the 14th. Once again, I hope this finds you all well and appreciating this amazing world we all share.
later,
Jess