SEALED WITH A KISS

 
My last stay with Baba was at Meherazad in November 1968. Before leaving, I folded my hands to Baba, who was sitting in His chair in the corner of Mandali Hall, and asked His permission to go. Baba nodded His consent and raised His right hand in a gesture that meant, "Be happy."

As I reached the door, however, Baba called me back, and with a tender intimate smile, He looked at me and gestured, "Kiss Me, then go." At the time, I never imagined that He would soon veil His body from our sight, but Baba knew and, in His loving compassion, He saw to it that my last farewell should be sealed with a kiss.

That touch of my lips on the Avatar's cheek became the ever-lasting well spring of my love for Him. In later years, when I went through some physically and emotional trying times, that kiss sustained me and helped nourish my ever-increasing trust in Him as the Ancient One. Such is the grace of the Avatar!