Carrie Link

JOYFUL YOUTH

From a Tibetan refuge camp in rural India, to the childhood home in which he grew up, my brother brought his wife to join him. They "met" through a mutual friend. A friend that had crossed the world and landed at my brother's feet. A friend that knew two people that were made for each other, even if they spoke different languages, were a decade apart in ages, and had nothing of a shared past.

From this union a child was born, half Tibetan, half caucasion, fully miraculous. As is the custom with Tibetan babies, a Lama named this child. Because this baby would not be making a trek to India prior to birth, the naming would need to be done long-distance. With only a four inch ultrasound picture, the family's revered Lama named the child Kunga Zsheunu. Kunga meaning "joyful", Zsheuno meaning"youth". Perfect. Both parents loved the name, and all that it implied.

The fireplace where once my brother rushed to see what surprises Santa had brought, Kunga now runs to do his prostrations. Where once a father sat, drank and brewed, his grandson points to Buddhist dieties and makes offerings. The house has changed, the people have changed, the future will not replicate the past. This boy's youth is to be joyful.

A joyful youth.

Wow.