Margaret Craske's cable arrived saying that Mabel Ryan had died in England.
Baba held the cable in his hand after it was read out and commented, "She has come to me. She is still here; where else can she go? Only you do not see her, for being without her coat and hat on, you do not recognize her."
Baba used to call Mabel his "counselor," for he would often consult her while in Europe about his plans.1 "Mabel was a lovely person," Delia once related, "full of warmth of character and gaiety." Baba later wrote to the English group:
Be happy in the thought that Mabel is happy. She sees me all the time. She is near me and, in a very short time, she will be physically near me too. This has to be, for she is of my circle. None can realize how much I need those whom I have chosen for future work. You may feel you are struggling through maya alone, but is this really so? Are you ever separated from me? Love knows no separation. I am nearer to you in the spot to which I have sent you than I would be if you were here and I had not asked you to be here. But struggle is good. Without it, how would maya and illusion be defeated?
Ramjoo, Naval, Feram Workingboxwala and Minoo Bharucha arrived from Nasik on 5 February 1938 to help with the birthday arrangements. The next day, Baba went to Khushru Quarters to visit Gulmai and Piroja's daughter Tehmi, who had chicken pox.
Working tirelessly, Pendu supervised everything for the birthday celebration, assisted by Vishnu, Kalemama and Padri. Sarosh and Adi Sr. brought rented cooking utensils and vessels to Meherabad. Chhagan was put in charge of the cooking, and Masaji was his main assistant. A tent was to be erected for the festivities, but due to heavy winds at the time, the work had come to a standstill. The cold weather was bitter, and the mandali were hard-pressed to have everything ready on time. Frustrated, Pendu went to Baba and asked, "Baba, the wind is blowing furiously and the work cannot be carried out on schedule. What should we do?"
Baba replied, "There is a way. If you stop smoking for a few days, the wind will also stop and the cold will lessen."
Therefore, those among the men who were accustomed to smoking cigarettes stopped during this period. Sure enough, within a short time, the winds died down and the weather turned mild. The work was completed, and everyone appreciated Baba's novel solution.
Footnotes
- 1.Mabel Ryan was such a well respected and loved ballet instructor that after her death an award was established in her memory for students of the Cecchetti method.