The last night of Amma's Europe and U.S. tour came to a close with many people gathered at the San Ramon ashram (spiritual center). On this brisk night, crowds filled the temple hall and the two overflow halls. Each year, Amma draws more and more people to her, seeking her unconditional love and spiritual guidance.

At the beginning of the program, Amma entered the hall and made her way to the stage. Ms. Yolanda King, daughter of the late peace advocate Dr. Martin Luther King, was present and had the blessing of placing a garland on Amma. In September, Ms. King had traveled to India to participate in Amma's 50th birthday celebrations and gave an inspiring keynote speech at the Women's Conference there.

The four day celebration of Amma's birthday in Cochin, India, was not only a gathering place for Amma's children from all around the world to pray; it also served the purpose of bringing together human rights activists, environmentalists, social workers and other similar-minded people under the umbrella of peace and harmony.

Tonight, along with the thousands of other devotees, Ms. King arrived to receive Amma's darshan (meeting and receiving a hug from Amma).

There was little doubt all along, that the sun would rise and sail well into the sky before it caught a glimpse of Amma leaving the hall. When Amma finally emerged from the hall, still fresh as a newly blossomed flower, it was past noon and eighteen hours since she first entered it the previous evening. Still smiling, touching and kissing tearful faces and outstretched hands, Amma entered the waiting car, her outstretched hand waving good bye even as the car cruised slowly and disappeared down the driveway.

Along with tearful good-byes, Amma's children will take with them the precious gift of Amma's presence in their hearts. After an absence of nearly two months, Amma will go back to her Amritapuri ashram where thousands of devotees anxiously await the return of their beloved mother