“”On another occasion, Baba asked Wendy, "Who do you love more, Mommy or Baba?"
Wendy started to say "Mom ..." but caught herself and quickly said, "Oh, you Baba!"
“”Baba laughed and gestured, "Your love for your mother pleases me. Always keep cheerful in my love."
When she came forward for her last embrace, Wendy Haynes recounted:
When my turn came, I came within a foot of Baba, and suddenly I looked down or Baba looked up and our eyes met. Everything stopped. Everything in the room disappeared. I felt like I had disappeared. I was no longer there but I felt such love coming from Baba, such oneness as if there was a circle of love flowing between us, but I had no consciousness of myself. I felt as if I were drowning in Baba's eyes. I thought I was actually falling backwards and at that instant the experience stopped. Baba looked at me and his eyes twinkled as if to say: "How about that?" Then I went forward to get my embrace.
Whenever I was with Baba, I felt that time had stopped. There was no sense of beginning or end. It seemed like forever.
Ann Conlon had been feeling restless during the darshan because of the lack of individual attention that Baba paid to them. She felt as if Baba had actually begun to withdraw from them. At one point, during an afternoon program, she went to stand at the end of the dais determined not to move until Baba looked at her.
“”He did with a glance, which indicated, "All right, I have looked at you; now go sit down!"
Receiving her last embrace, as she bent over to kiss Baba goodbye, Baba kissed her on both cheeks. Ann was so happy to receive his embrace she whispered, "Thank you, Baba, thank you." Baba's expression glowed.
“”He shook his head and Ann knew he wished to convey, "That's the way — as happy leaving as when you came!"
Getting up from his seat, Baba cautioned all not to come to Guruprasad that afternoon.
“”"And Harry, don't phone, either!"
Glancing around, Baba slowly retired to his room. Everyone continued gazing at him as he left, eager to retain the image of his departing form in their hearts.
Age concluded, "Through the East-West Gathering, many 'birds' became acquainted with the Garden and its fragrant perfume-blossom scent went home with them. But before it was possible for them to build their nests and reside there forever, they had to learn about flowers, fruit, trees, water, sunshine — in other words, about obedience and surrenderance."
