“Forever Changed” by Kimberly McIlrath
July 17, 2009
India! Who would have ever thought You would have grabbed such a hold? Apparently they all did! “You’ll be forever changed!” they all said before I boarded the plane. Its true, you changed me, but how fast did I forget? I came back into 6 of the craziest months not leaving much time to process. But, when I stop to think about it, those images come screaming back. Such poverty but not poor in spirit. So much life. I can close my eyes and see myself dancing in the dark with the girls at Asha Deep. To most of us back here power outages breed inconvenience and frustration. But not with you, they provide opportunity and captured moments. I can hear the girls singing by fire in the chapel. I can see the early morning shadows come up around the local mosque. I can see the arms raised as they sing silly songs at devotion time. I can feel the fabrics run through my fingers, begging voices “for you 100 rupee.” I can sit on this crowded subway and still feel the India air. The images fly by as if it were 167 hours not 167 days since I saw those gates close behind us. I can feel my heart break. The tears still come. Shacks, no shoes, no clothes, begging, desperate hands tugging at my shirt. I can see her eyes as they pleaded. I can see the smiles of the girls who now have a future; teacher, doctor, lawyer, advocate. They stand proudly announcing to us in hopeful tears. They once picked through trash heaps, gave themselves to strangers, now they have higher hopes. All because of a contagious love a few people had and pursued to make their lives better. I can remember the kids chasing us down wishing, wanting to have their picture taken. Wanting the foreigners to give them something to hope for. India! You aren’t so far away. I may have lost focus but I can never forget. You tattooed your soul on mine. Nothing can wash it away. You allowed me to meet some incredible, beautiful, focused people who want nothing more then to bring hope to your doors. India, you will soon capture more hearts and I look forward to seeing their transformed faces as they return, forever changed.
