The Friday after Thanksgiving along with Kalindi and kids and Gaurangi Priya and kids went to a nursing home. First, Lakshmi, Dharvi and Radha did a couple of little ballet steps with music that I taught them. They did so well. Gaurangi Priya did a Bharat Natyam dance and I improvised a dance to Jayadeva's Radha Govinda song. Lakshmi and I also did a couple of ballets to Strauss and Brahms. The little girls then showed some of their Bharat Natyam steps. We then gave out maha prasadam cookies and flower garlands. The residents were very happy and the staff was also very pleased with the program. The children were so enthusiastic to give out the cookies and flowers. Gaurangi Priya has took some pictures of that.
One resident who was sitting in the back looked very unhappy the whole time. I was determined to make her smile before we left. Finally in a very simple child like tune I clapped and chanted Hare Krsna. Her whole face lit up with a smile and she started tapping her hand on her leg in time with the tune. Ah, the power of the holy names! As we were leaving I usually chant to residents who are sitting here and there. When we got a little past one man, he actually shouted Hare Krsna back. We were very happily surprised. I am looking forward to Christmas break so we can do more programs. Today we went into one home that is really close to here. It is a small one, smelly and not clean. I feel sorry for the residents there. They are really nice though. We brought in a box full of flower garlands and gave all the residents one and decorated their rooms with the flowers that were on the altar and lotus feet and adorning the body of Sri Sri Radha Golokananda.
