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Ch 1 - The Dinner Ch 2 - Mickey Ch 3 - Elizabeth Ch 4 - The Poster Ch 5 - Self-Discovery Outing Ch 6 - Shawn’s Boyfriend Ch 7 - Taking The Step Ch 8 - My First Student Meeting Ch 9 - Don’t Trash Ch 10 Meditation & the Wreck Ch 11 In The Desert Ch 12 After The Desert Ch 13 The Ebell Theater Ch 14 So, You Want To Be A Teacher? Ch 15 The Visit Ch 16 The Golden Oldies Ch 17 The Correction Ch 18 The Gift Ch 19 Disneyland Ch 20 The Letter Ch 21 Starting Out Ch 22 First Night As A Teacher Ch 23 The Thank You Card Ch 24 Priorities Ch 25 Corrected Again Ch 26 Returning Home Ch 27 The Call Ch 28 On The Road To New York Ch 29 Christmas At Golden’s Bridge Ch 30 Jumpy Ch 31 The Initiation Ch 32 Time To Leave Ch 33 Keeping It Clean Ch 34 Looking Back Epilogue   Visit Shiva's web site   About Rama

Chapter 18 - The Gift

I stood in the lobby of the Beverly Theater during a break.  I was happy and a little sad at the same time.  I was happy that Rama had announced that we would be going on an outing to Disneyland.  I was sad that I would not be able to include my two boys.

I was having a pretty hard time financially and I just barely had enough money to go myself.  I certainly didn't have the means to take my children. 

I stood next to the wall and thought about how Rama had said that we were all getting a little up-tight. 

"Life is too short not to enjoy the trip," he exclaimed!  "We need to lighten up!  so I feel that it is time to do something that is happy and childlike.  We're going to Disneyland!"

The students laughed and applauded.

"Disneyland is a world within worlds.  Each one is so perfect!" he continued.  "The people at Disneyland always make sure that the park is impeccable.  The various worlds of Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Frontierland and the rest are like a small worlds in a greater Universe.  We will have so much fun!"

Now here I was alone in a crowded lobby trying to figure out a way to go on this outing and have my boys with me.  I looked up just in time to see Rama stroll toward me.

"How's it going?" he asked with a big smile.

I felt myself dissolving and it was hard to keep my thoughts straight as I struggled with my answer.

"It's going OK," I blurted out.

"Just OK?" he queried.

I was trapped.  I knew that my best course of action was to open my heart and tell the truth. "I am really looking forward to going to Disneyland," I said.  "I was just trying to figure out a way to take my sons with me.  I'm going to pull some strings and see if I can make it happen.  If not, perhaps next time," I said.

Rama looked at me and reached into his pockets.  Realizing that they were empty,  he turned and motioned for one of his staff to come over.  He whispered something to the man who then immediately fished out his wallet and handed Rama some money.  Rama turned to me and handed me a wad of bills. 

"Take this and I'll see you at Disneyland with your boys," he said with a smile.

As he turned a walked away, I stared in disbelief as I looked in my hand.  There was more than enough money for all of us to go.  Not only would my boys be able to go with me, but we could even buy some souvenirs!  This would really be fun now!  I started to get a lump in my throat and my eyes started to fill with tears of joy as I considered the way Rama had tuned in and sought me out.  I was speechless.

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