The first drive-in restaurant opened in Bangalore. At the time, I was fourteen years old, and the news was buzzing. This was the place to go. I could not imagine what it would be like. There was nothing to compare it to in India during that era. My mother insisted we go because she was craving a masala dosa, a house speciality.
There are two memories from that evening. First, this was the most unusual drive-in I had ever experienced. There was no order to the layout. It was a small area with trees and crass, surrounded by walls. I saw a semi-open kitchen on one edge with a small army of smartly casual waiters standing on the ready. One could park their car anywhere at any angle. Find a place you like, roll down the window, and enjoy the experience of service staff standing ready to take your order.
Second, while I had enjoyed dosas until then, I fell in love with them during the evening. I am trying to remember how many dosas I had that night — I know it was more than one! Since then, every time I have a dosa, I am back in time with my mom and the rest of the family, indulging our craving for a just-right dosa.
We echo what we admire. Dosas remind me of the parts of my life that echo my mother. Her love of food, endless adventure, and curiosity became part of me during my childhood. Even though she is no longer with me, I can hear her laughter and wonder aloud at the questions she is willing to leave open for conversations and try to imagine what might come next. In the lingering echo, I see Divinity differently. “This Son perfectly mirrors God and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says – powerful words! The Son Is Higher than Angels” (Hebrews 11.3)
We are stewards of what comes next. I can take the gifts in my life and make a difference. What’s next is up to me.
