but He was coming mainly to give His 'Sahavas' or company to His near and dear ones whose love draws Him once more to the land of America."

On December 30th, another cable was received at Myrtle Beach, which was quoted in the Winter 1955* Awakener, outlining His short 17-day visit to the West "next summer." No dates were yet given, but Baba indicated He would stop for a few days in London, New York, Myrtle Beach, and then fly to Los Angeles and San Francisco, returning to India from the West coast.

Meanwhile, in India, Baba announced His year of very strict seclusion would begin on February 15th, 1956, and all devotees, both East and West, were asked to help provide the necessary expenses of those who had been with Him for years, in order for them to carry on during His retirement. On January 3rd, Baba cancelled the proposed Sahavas programs scheduled for women devotees throughout India (the earlier Sahavas program had been for men only), and they were asked by Him to "keep aglow the spark of My Love and work enthusiastically for their Beloved so that others feel the force of My Message of Love and Truth,"—a hint for all of us.

In a personal letter dated January 6th, 1956, Mani wrote: "Tell S— the Ancient One is coming! How happy we are for all of you dear ones . . . Baba will be in retirement for one year from 15th February as He said, only breaking it just long enough for a short visit to the West." Then, in another letter dated January 19th, came the one line we all had been waiting for: "Beloved intends coming in July!"

One of us had already written Mani that several were "getting our wings ready to fly with Baba around the country," and Mani read this to the Master. She replied, "Beloved also agrees to the 'wings' and doesn't mind any of you 'doves' flying around with Him during the trip. So, stretch your wings!" This was Sahavas indeed!

News came that Baba would be leaving India the first week of July, and would bring with Him four of the mandali, Eruch, Nilu, Meherji, and Adi Senior. At the same time, Baba gave out that He would make the proposed trip provided that the expenses of the tour could be managed by His lovers in the West, adding "Baba knows how difficult this is right now after the most loving and generous gifts made quite recently by you all," (for the year of seclusion), and "He knows with what great love and sacrifice they have sent Him these gifts, and He sends His Love to each."

*printed text has 1955 but it appears in the 1956 editiont-webmaster JK