25Our tents were all packed up and we were ready to leave.
Lama Yeshe handed out some tennis shoes that he had carried up the mountain for the village kids. One pair fit little Tendra and she gave her boots to another little girl.
Several women from the village came to hug Tendra and Karma goodbye. The older child, Karma, cried and clung to her grandfather. Tears filled the old man’s eyes. Tendra was silent, but had a hard time letting go of his leg.
He gave each of them a bell from his necklace, closing their hands tightly around the gifts. I could tell he was wishing them luck, with words of encouragement and strength.
Tendra and Karma both nodded their heads yes and tried to stand tall. Their grandfather waved them away and they dutifully followed us. I could almost feel the pang of
