Gender issues

This morning we are going to tackle a very big issue, sex

Well it seems that I got your attention didn't I? Even Swami and my precious programmer probably have deleted this blog already. You know I didn't actually mean sex per se, but our relationships with the opposite sex is the real ssue. In the west we Sai Graduates must grapple with this issue at some time or other. Perhaps that was badly put.

At the ashram we are so very protected from these sorts of things. I never felt comfortable even having a male guest in my room for more than a few minutes...accept for business like with my programmer. I knew Swami wouldn't like it other wise.

As a single woman I had almost no relationships with guys at all even before I found Swami. Becoming a devotee made it even more impossible. So when I'm in a group now I sit with the ladies and even avoid eye contact with 'the other'. My ashram training still holds true.

But I have lived here in my new apartment for a week sleeping on a mattress on the floor because I couldn't put up the frame. It is an antique and I thought it might require some screws and bolts and things to set it up. Yesterday I was zipping down the hall on another floor when I almost stumbled over a bicycle. It had tool kits on it and I knew that it might be my best chance to get that bed assembled. So I called out a sweet 'hello' at an already open door knowing that probably a dreaded 'gent' would answer.

He did. About 10 years younger than I am, Jerry is tall and fairly sturdy in comparison to the other fellows in this building who are mostly using walkers or wheel chairs.

'Yes' he said, 'can I help you?”

“Oh God,' I replied a little nervously, I then proceeded to pour out my sad story about the old bed. To shorten the story surface it to say he came to my rescue and put the antique bed together. It wasn't so easy and he had to bring up some washers and screws before using his wrench, he put the wooden slats together and then the springs and then the mattress. It looks so beautiful especially with the lavender quilt my sister gave me. Betty says it must be at least 200 years old.

Later that afternoon I had another brain storm. I have had so much trouble getting a telephone. At first I was afraid to even move in without a phone but that was a week ago and I'm still ;phoneless' I purchased A MAGIC JACK DEVISE for 45 DOLLARS WHICH ONE PLUGS INTO THE COMPUTER AND A TELEPHONE GIVING UNLIMITED CALLS FOR ONE YEAR Only problem was I couldn't get it to work.

They gave me a telephone number and registered me but it didn't work. They read....those dreaded words....we don't recognize you password.

I am in disparate need of a phone and so I thought just maybe Jerry, who was an English Professor at one time, maybe Jerry could fix that too.

I knocked on his door with the magic jack held straight out in my trembling hand.

'I can't get this thing to work,' I explained.

He took it from me trying to understand.

'But what can I do?' He asked

'You're so smart, I began coyly

'Have you called Magic jack. com?' he asked

'Yes but I didn't understand.'

'Ok, I'll be right there,' he said kindly

'Eureka' I breathed. Maybe I can use it after all and save about 500 dollars. See all my friends from the ashram live all over the US and I really need a phone with unlimited calls.

So he came again into my apartment to get me over the next hurdle.

It took a few hours and finally we called my sister and she was delighted. I think more about Jerry then the telephone. They never give up do they, always our mothers and mother substitutes want us to tie the know even when we're 75 years old for God's sake. Sweet though in a way.

You know I think magic jack deliberately make this device as difficult as possible. They gave me a new password and I mistook the i for an 1 and the o for an 0. But finally I successfully called my sister.

'He fixed my bed, betty and my phone and now I can call you.'

'He fixed your bed?'

'Yeah he put it together.'

Later Jerry and I stood by the window watching the pink and blue sunset. It was a nice moment.

'I stand looking out of my window for hours at a time,' he said.

'Must be your way of meditating,' I mused.

Brother-sister, mother-son, these relationships, platonic relationships, are common in the west, Swami. Really Swami, really, you have to believe me.

Magic jack is not working today. I have to bother him again but I'll give it a few days ....what to do. Must be Swami's will