Bob is safely in Japan, give or take a hectic rush to the airport (as usual) and losing the key to the padlock on his flight bag… (I forgot to ask how that one was resolved…)
A big thank you to Tahmid Quazi Sempai, Glen Martin, Neal Crankshaw and Rivash Ramowtar for braving the hideous traffic congestion at the airport to see Bob, Luren and Peter Ben off.
Bob says he managed to keep up his regime of mediation sessions, etc. on the way over and since his arrival… but not the bed times!!
I spoke to him yesterday. He was sounding a bit stressed and tired. Only got to bed around 1am on their Friday/Saturday arrival and the group was out to the Otake dojo early to arrange to take keppan, etc.
The next night was late again, with a post mortem following training … and the elected to run home (in his steel reinforced hiking boots - not too wise) after training.
Training will be Mon-Sat from 2-5pm…
Back home - Shaz is getting more sleep (evil, slightly guilty grin) and yesterday was able to declare Bob redundant when she managed to start (and re-start) the lawn mower on her own. Bob had some how made it seem so difficult that I never dared tried to start the 'temperamental' machine until now - only to discover that it pull starts fairly easily!! Not exactly sure that it is liberating to be able to start a lawn mower but it does put to rest a concern that I'd need someone to help me!!
I'm off on a writing assignment this week (Monday to Friday) - doing a flash tour of Zululand game parks and Hlane Royal Park in Swaziland for Wild magazine. Have kept time away down to an absolute minimum so as to disrupt life for PAWS as little as possible… and next week I escape (Thursday to Sunday - with PAWS this time) to the Buddhist Retreat Centre in Ixopo.
The 1000 day pilgrimage is now 5% down. It has been an interesting period for me - I certainly managed to put myself through a lot of (unnecessary?) anxiety once it started. The extent of 1000-days suddenly felt too big to handle, but eventually worked back to the understanding I had when it was first suggested… in truth there is little change from before. One day is dealt with at a time - and enjoyed for the pleasures it brings - and each day follows the other. The only change is a small shift in responsibilities and the reality of the daily routine. I'm still struggling to let go let Bob and feel responsible for his progress - but this period apart should help ease that considerably… as there is nothing I can do except send kind thoughts and wishes (and make the odd phone call).
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