A Sari and the Girl who dreamed of wearing one...

As human beings, we are always trying to define our experiences with symbols that remind us of momentous occasions, beautiful or dark. I know I have done that with the tattoos I wear on my body. They are symbols of triumphs and losses. They tell my story, reminding me not to forget.
In India, I have grown to believe the women do the same with their saris. Each one so delicately tailored for an event, whether good or bad. Saris are made for a wedding, a graduation, a birthday or an anniversary. They are carefully chosen, tailored, draped and put on. That is why I chose to get my first sari for my birthday. I wanted to mark my arrival in India, with one of its strongest symbols: the sari.
The process that goes into making a sari was so much more complicated than I expected yet necessary. The textile pieces had to be delicately chosen, as a silk sari will drape differently than a cotton sari. Where you shop for your sari, is also a huge deal, but I chose to go into the small town where I teach, Hosur. I wanted my first sari to be simple and humble. As I looked at the million options before me, I was almost moved to tears when I found the one I was looking for. Like love at first sight, you always know when you see it, but until then you cannot describe what you are looking for. The choices were endless!
As I bought my beautiful pink, orange and turquoise blue sari material, and as they took my measurements, I began to get emotional. This sari, is a symbol, just like all the other saris the women wear on the streets of India. I too will now tell a story with my sari. I will say, this was my first sari, the one I got the first time I was in India. The one I dreamed of wearing for years in the States. I will tell of how I worked 3 jobs to raise the money to come to India to wear this sari. I will remember the tears at the airport and with many friends as I said goodbye to the comforts of America wearing this sari. This sari will drape proudly on my yogi body, showing my Om on my back. It will let the world know, I have come to heal, not only myself but to extend my wisdom to these children at Shanti Bhavan and to the people I meet in India. I will tell of how I feel my soul is finally home, that I have come here to settle something that is beyond me, perhaps from my past karma. I will tell how this sari starts this story, the one I am living in right now. I only hope I have the wisdom to understand it as it unfolds.
Today on my birthday I will wear this Sari, my beautiful gold anklets, a bindi on my forehead, and the henna on my hands. I will wear lilies in my hair and I will go to temple, to receive a blessing. On this day I will pray:
Gods of India, Ganesha .Laskshmi, Saraswati, Hanuman. Maharaji(my guru), Gods of Gods, and the beautiful Universe, please bless me this year. May I remember the goals I have set before me. I want to change the world with my love. Allow me to do that. Let me find all the answers I am looking for in India. Rid me of my bad karma. Let me make peace with my heart and embrace the love that is within me and reflect it onto those I cross paths with. Allow me to always be compassionate. Remind me always to follow my heart and in doing so, let it bring me abundance in health, love and wealth.