CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

 Jesus is regarded as a messenger of God among Hindus and so we were all able to join in celebrating the Birthday of Jesus.

We began on Christmas Eve with the decoration and lighting of our fir tree in the courtyard. The decorations were all hand made by residents and me. After a short speech we all had a substitute for mince pies and mulled wine in the form of fruit samosas and warm pomegranate juice laced with spices. My idea of having music from You Tube on the TV was not successful as it was not audible in the courtyard.

I went to Midnight Mass in the local town, courtesy of a parishioner, who collected me in his car and deposited me at a convent where the sisters had offered me a bed for the remainder of the night. I returned to Awaas in time to start off the various competitions in Scrabble, Carom, and Snakes and Ladders. At lunchtime we had a nice meal with a special mango desert.

Christmas cake

The highlight of the day was the double session of Housey. Half way through we had tea and real Christmas cake which Kavita had sent up from Mumbai. (Including an eggless one for the strictest vegetarians).

Evening walkers

Morning and evening walkers

.We needed a Prize Fund. I devised a way to encourage residents to walk the track around the orchard facility that is only used by a few residents.) The residents were to be horses and say how many circuits of the track they could walk. I offered to hold on to Meenakshi and help her as she normally only walks in the corridors. Chandru has a health problem and said he could only manage one round but this morning he did three rounds and has offered to walk again in the evening session. 

Bisham is the best walker being the most regular. He does 100 rounds of the stairs and corridors every day. This morning he did 25 rounds of the track. Smita, a new lady, did 20 rounds. My badminton partner, Mr Abhyankar, our oldest resident, did 10 rounds.  It was particularly encouraging to see those who are overweight taking part. I am hoping they will make a walk part of their daily routine. Water was available and an orange was given to each at the end. Some morning walkers wanted to do the evening walk as well. We will give all the participants 101 rupees. There will be more for the three who walked furthest.

The Prize Fund has been donated by members of the Toshniwal and Pareek families, at the rate of 100 rupees per circuit of the garden, according to each persons estimated capability It will be used solely for residents and staff prizes and towards a lunch for staff and residents at an outside hotel.

 I’m just returning to the computer after the evening walking session and have to report that the total rounds actually walked today was 248. Three people did 38 and 39 rounds. Abhyankar (88) did 9 rounds, Meenakshi who is 81 did 4 rounds holding my arm. Now I hope that a few rounds of the track will become a daily exercise for several of our residents.

Competitions (Carom, Scrabble and Snakes and Ladders) continue today, Friday, and on Saturday we are having a tea party with games. Monday will be the staff races and I’ve got a funny race for the three men. I’ve got to write quiz questions for 30^th and make a programme for the final evening concert and Prize Giving on 31^st. I’m told that New Year does not have any special celebrations here in Maharastra State as their New Year was at Divalli – one less thing to worry about!