My father’s departure

 It was a chance decision to visit Trivandrum during April, 2013. And it so happened that I got to spend seven full days with my father who lived alone, with a lady to look after. Since she took leave for two days, he was entirely my responsibility. We spent all the seven days discussing various spiritual topics. I think I managed to make him realize that we are more than our bodies. We listened to bhajans and had meditation sessions. Little did I realize that it was my last meeting with him.

On May 15^th he was admitted to the hospital for a bad infection on his leg. It was responding to the IV antibiotic treatment. On 19^th morning, I had a telephonic conversation with him. He was having difficulty in breathing, his voice was hoarse and I could hardly decipher what he was saying. While having lunch he choked and had a cardiac arrest. The doctors tried resuscitation and put him on ventilator.

At around 6pm on 19^th, I was sitting on our lawn and when looked up, saw flowers on the sampige tree, which flowered 18 years after planting it (my father’s gift?). I could feel the presence of my mother and sister, who left their bodies in 2008, near my father and felt that his soul left through his throat chakra. He looked peaceful and happy.

On 20^th morning I was one hour into my first lecture for the five days course when I got the phone call from Trivandrum that my father passed away. He was removed from the ventilator and declared dead. I had to finish the course and then rush to Trivandrum. The ceremony was conducted on 26^th. Looking at his bones was difficult for me. During the last visit he was with me in flesh and blood, and now I got to see his bone pieces!

In the evening while I was putting his photograph to its place, I could sense him telling me, ‘I wanted to live for 17 more years (an astrologer had told that he would live that much time) in vain. That body was withering, and I was clinging to it. I am at peace now.’ He blessed me and smiled.