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Full Circle

I have been to Varanasi only once in my life. It exceeded my expectations at the time and remained etched in memory since then. Even after two and a half decades, I recall the details of the few days spent there in full vivid color as if it were only yesterday. Just about every moment was perfect. Some day, I hope J will visit there with or without me - I would love very much for us to share that experience but will be just as happy if I could not there for it. As I write that, I realize it means something quite particular to have my child visit Varnasi without me. 

If my second time at Varanasi were to be for my arthi visarjan, would that be so terrible? Maybe that is the proper rite of passage for Hindu who has lived away from home most of majority of their life. Things should begin and end in the same place for completeness. Reading about this story about the River Soar while cleaning old archived emails, brought Varanasi to mind and the thoughts of how and when a second visit might come about for me. 

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