Last evening I was watching a Christmas movie with my grandchildren here in California when my phone rang. It was Jake. Jake and I have become close comrades during the week I have been away from Bellingham WA. visiting my family.
“How many meals for flood worker volunteers do you need for tomorrow (Saturday 11/27/21)?” I asked him.
“Over 1000.” Jake told me, sounding decidedly sheepish for even asking. All week the number has been 400 a day, which is a lot of free meals. The bulk of the food has been prepared, delivered and served by the Smith Road Gurdwara (Sikh temple – Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash), with help from the Pole Road Gurdwara (Guru Nanak Gursikh Gurdwara) in Lynden. The new Bellingham Gurdwara (Singh Sabha Gurdwara) has pitched in too, feeding volunteers in Sumas WA and Everson. Whatcom County Sikhs have also delivered food to evacuees.
“Tomorrow, being Saturday, is our biggest work day yet.” Jake told me.
“Let me check.” I said, not feeling very confident. But, during the movie, I texted Angrez Singh and Tarnjot Singh Brar. Turns out that the Smith Road Gurdwara was already busy preparing food for 800! Soon Pole Road Gurdwara pitched in as well, promising food for another 250.
Jake was blubbering gratitude and praise of Sikhs via text.
“I know they don’t want anything, but what’s the best way to make it up to Sikhs?”
“I am in California watching a Christmas movie with my grandkids. I’ll be back home tomorrow night. Why don’t we talk on Sunday about that.” I texted him back.
Truth is, I have no idea how to repay Sikhs for their amazing seva (selfless service) here in Whatcom County, and all around the world. Sikhs feed aprox. 1 million people a day on this planet. It is simply what they do, and if they were interested in human glory, it would not be seva, that is “selfless service”.
I returned to watching the Christmas movie, feeling full to the brim with both Thanksgiving and Christmas spirit. And grateful to the Waheguru (Sikh name for God, the “Wondrous Teacher”).
