Closing Ceremony – Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

These missions are amazing. Within about two hours 20+ people come together from all corners of the United States and even some other countries, meeting at the airport with a common purpose: to serve. I remember how quickly the team dissolved last year once the work was finished so I approached tonight with the intention to say my goodbyes to everyone as I depart ahead of the team tomorrow to catch my flight to New Delhi for some tourism.

Upon arriving to the hospital, we were once again treated to a red carpet welcome – really, a red carpet. Again we got ceremonial garlands placed around our necks and fresh bindis. Freshly decorated, the heavy picture taking started. About every combination of us exists on someone’s camera. It’s part of the mission workers ritual – a way to capture a few moments we were too busy to get during the week. There were many speeches, including one by our head nurse Debbie Dean -- first in Tamil and then in English -- which was very touching and received the loudest cheers of the night. (I thought I had a picture of her but discovered the one I asked for with both of us in our coral dresses wasn't actually taken on my camera). And then we all received a gold plate as a thank you for our work. Then the entertainment began with a stream of dances, singing and music, and even some mimes and hip-hop dancers. It was lively and colorful! The auditorium was full with about 250 people in attendance and folks were pretty energetic.

Then came our moment – a flash dance (inspired by the concept of a flash mob) when our song came on and several of us who had learned the steps in ~15-minutes the night before were hurried on stage to perform. It was an A effort and I thought a lot of fun although admittedly I messed up a lot while trying to follow the lead dancer. After about four minutes on stage, the lead turned around to signal we were done with our part and I went skipping off stage. While I’m particularly good at looking like an idiot unaided or prompted, I was glad to finish off the mission on this high note.

Not long after that we were ushered out of the auditorium as the medical students lined the door way. Passing through I was looking at the faces of these kids who worked very hard to help us through the mission – many of them my trusty translators. And I got that thick lump in my throat and tears in my eyes knowing that it was over. I will likely never see them again and I pressed the memories firmly in my mind. I hate goodbyes. I’ve never been good at them, which is why I keep in touch with people long after our face time has passed. It’s just my way. I care very deeply and don’t let go. As we drove away in the van – with a few knocking on my window waving – I let a few tears roll freely. There would be more difficult goodbyes tomorrow.

Back at the hotel, the Rotarians had a final meal brought in to us on the roof of the hotel overlooking the city. It was nice to decompress and visit and take a few more pictures. Then it was time to pack up. We would be leaving in the morning and part ways in Pondicherry – I would go to Chennai to catch my flight to Delhi and the rest would go to a resort for the afternoon before departing for the U.S. in the wee morning hours.

I have a lot on my mind. Not only some tourism in my near future, but I’m trying to process the past couple of weeks into some cogent thoughts. I’m going to give myself a few days and come back to this with some kind of summary. While my posts have been fairly lengthy, there’s still more to say about this mission to Karaikal believe it or not. The work is over, but the effects on my mind and heart will continue to evolve in the days and months ahead.

A last picture with beautiful medical student, Dharini, who always had a kind word and a smile.
She is working to become a pediatrician / family practice physician.

Masters of the mission: medical director Frank (left) and mission director Tom get ready
for the ceremony to begin. Both gave terrific speeches and Tom gave the tie off of his neck
to the Rotary Club of Karaikal mission chairman as a way to say "thank you" for the Rotarians'
above and beyond support of our team.

Dancers dazzle the crowd with their moves and costuming. The talents is very strong given that
many of these performers are medical students too.

Just before the flash dance, OR nurse Jan Epstein and anesthesiologist Dua Anderson wow the
audience with a rendition of "There's Gonna Be a Heart Ache Tonight" to the cheers of the
audience.