The Diary Game – #3: Share your day with us!

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Morning

It was the 30th of August 2023, a Nikini Full Moon Poya Day, which was a public and mercantile holiday for everyone in my country. When I opened my bedroom window, I saw people walking to the temple in white color clothes to take part in religious rites.

On Poya days, people perform sill, which is a special religious activity. It is like becoming a monk temporally. Those who perform sill, wear special white clothes and spend the day religiously from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. They are only vegetarian on this day, and they do not handle money. They spend the day calmly, listening to the Dhamma and meditating. They consume the alms offered by donors at the temple. There were plenty of donors in our country to offer alms in every temple across the country.

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I went to the dining room to drink my glass of water on an empty stomach. It was a little raining outside; therefore, I decided not to do my walking exercise and other simple exercises.

Instead, I went to the kitchen, to make porridge, which is one of my morning rituals. On Poya Day, special Buddhist programs are broadcast on radio and television. I switched on the radio to listen to the dhamma program while cooking sago porridge.

While listening to the radio, I did all other routine work. I heard the monk preaching that Nikini Poya Day is very important to all the Buddhists everywhere in the country because the first Sanga Council was held on such Poya Day after the death of Gautama Buddha.

Afternoon

As my next-door people prepared alms for the monks in our temple, we went there to assist them. We also went to the temple with them to offer alms to the monks. That day, we had our lunch at their house.

Evening

I was taking a short nap; when I heard a strange noise coming from my backyard. I went there to find out what it was. I was surprised to find a white pigeon in our water tank. He can’t fly, I called my husband, and we both tried to chase him away. But he didn't move. Therefore, we brought him to our garage and kept him inside a box. I closed the door of the garage, afraid that he would be cached by another animal.

I went there after a short while to see what had happened to him; he had eaten all of the rice and the water container was spread all over the box. And he had sat on the box. I gave him rice with water again and opened the door of the garage if he wanted to fly out.

My son and his wife had gone to my daughter-in-law’s hometown, therefore I felt very lonely. My elder sister invited us to an evening Buddha offering at their temple. Though I agreed with them, I didn't want to participate because I felt lonely. On other days, we all went to the temple together, but as our son was not available, I didn't feel like going.

Late evening

For our dinner, I prepared a light meal. Then I went to feed the pigeon, but he wasn't there; he had flown away from the place. I believe he will gain the strength to fly after eating the rice and drinking the water I provided. I was relieved that I was able to save the pigeon's life.

In any case, I am not a TV viewer. As it began to get dark, my husband sat in front of the television. I sat on a chair outside the house. I watched as the moon gradually appeared to light up the sky. I took out my phone and photographed the scene. Although there was a moon to lighten the sky, my two sons were not nearby to lighten the darkness of my mind. Without realizing it, my mind cried.

Our children don’t know that our happiness lies with them. But that is the truth. I don’t know about fathers, but a mother's happiness is always with children. I was waiting for my son's return.

When the time around 9.00 p.m. we ate our light dinner. After a few minutes of meditation, we went to bed, saying goodbye to another lovely day.

I would like to invite @jyoti-thelight, @tocho2 and @ashkhan to take part in this contest.

10% to @steemladies

Thank you all for reading my diary.