Carrie Ben Shammai, 54, had not been part of the group originally. Baba had instructed her to return to Israel and spread his message of Love and Truth there. But when Adele informed Baba how much Carrie longed to travel with them, Baba agreed and had Adele collect funds to cover her expenses.
Also traveling with the group was a 46-year-old blind, half-deaf chiropractor from New York City, named Harold Lionel Kenmore, who had come into Baba's contact during this visit. As a boy, Harry was a top student and an athlete. He was something of a performer and had even had a few stand-in roles in the Our Gang comedies. But at sixteen, Harry lost his sight, and after a long and difficult soul-searching as to how he might occupy his life with these physical disabilities, he became a chiropractor. Kenmore was a seeker of Truth and studied the Bible deeply, which he listened to on tapes.
During 1954, Adele Wolkin, one of Harry's patients, read him some of Baba's Discourses. Harry was so drawn to Baba's words that he tried to find out everything he could about the author, and subsequently met Enid Corfe and Margaret Craske, before meeting Baba personally at the Delmonico Hotel. Although blind, his heart received the brilliance of Baba's love, and he gradually came closer to Baba.1
Reaching Newark airport, Baba sat on a shoeshine stand so that he was elevated from the group. Each one was permitted to come forward and have his darshan.
"Love me more and more," Eruch repeated as each bowed at Baba's feet.
But when it was Virginia Rudd's turn, Baba stopped Eruch and told Virginia, "You have the love," and he told her to stand behind him.
Several strangers approached him and asked to be introduced. Wearing a garland of lavender orchids from Mr. and Mrs. Knotts, who had made all the travel arrangements, Baba was the first to board their flight (National 361). They took off at exactly 8:00 A.M. Almost as soon as the seat belt sign went off, Baba left his seat next to Eruch and greeted each and everyone individually with a loving pat or smile. He was in a gay, lighthearted mood. He began his favorite pastime of tossing them sweets, tiny white peppermints. The plane was completely filled by their group except for one woman passenger who, intrigued, inquired about Baba's identity, as did the stewardess. Don Stevens gave both ladies an introductory pamphlet about Baba.
On the plane, Darwin had managed to sit fairly close to Baba. Once Baba called him over and had a conversation with him about the racial situation in America, between the Whites and Blacks.
Footnotes
- 1.Coincidentally, Enid Corfe used to read for the blind and later in life lost her own sight.