At the beautiful San Francisco airport, we stood about Baba, who continued to fondle the children but prohibited any embrace from us. He frowned as one woman broke into loud weeping and begged for an embrace. Yet to one here or there, Baba gave a pat on the check or chin, as if to say, "Be brave! Chin up!" A stranger stopped, struck by Baba's appearance and our evident absorption in him. "Who is He supposed to be?" I could hear the answer beating loudly in my own heart . . . "He is the Christ".

Too soon it was time to go . . . Baba strode down the ramp as dozens of hands stretched out to him in farewell. He clasped one tightly, then another. One of the youngsters ran down the passage ahead of him and slipped an orchid garland over his head. He embraced her and returned the garland. Then it was really goodbye as we watched him walk up the stairs and into the huge transoceanic plane. There was his Divine Hand waving slowly at us from the third window! Now there was no help for the tears that fell down my cheeks. The age-old separation had begun again; our journey of the heart with our Divine Beloved was over. . .but is it really ever over? We must try to follow his wish, and think of the coming visit to India.

I conclude with this anonymous manuscript:

TEARS

Through the years I had loved Him with a reserved and lukewarm love, not knowing with certainty that He was my Master.

Now suddenly, in the course of a few days, came the realization that I worshipped Him; I the creature born to adore its Creator, to prostrate itself before Him in wonder and delight.

So there we stood that Tuesday morning in San Francisco airport, waiting for the last glimpse and the last words. I stood on the outer fringe of the group, never having liked to press forward. There was nothing to ask and nothing to hope for; the moment of parting was at hand and the pain of separation was upon me.

He must have felt the quiet agony in my heart, for the crowd parted for a moment and He stood there looking at me. He made a sign, which I did not see clearly nor comprehend (was it to motion me to His Feet?); but