Day 73 Sunday 23rd May. Brother James 85 today.

There would be a few birthday cakes out today, but this was the one I'd been waiting for for the last 2700 miles or so. Blimey - it was a long way to come for a slice of birthday cake! I wondered if the old codger next to me had any idea of how hard it had actually been to get here, and whether he appreciated the ridiculous effort I'd made to be with him on this day. I knew he did, really, but I still wondered. I'd been so tired. Perhaps I'd never been as tired before. As I nibbled at my slice, I thought about all the people I'd met who had helped me to get here.

I'd turned up for Mass in the morning, but it didn't take place. On Sunday it was still at six o'clock, but in the evening.

At 8.30am there was a special staff meeting, in what appeared to be the main meeting area at RTU. Brother said a few words, and tried to move the '8' and the '5' around on his birthday cake, to make it look as if it were his 58th birthday that everyone was celebrating. No-one was fooled.

At 10.00am, there was another gathering, but this time in the school hall. (The school was closed during May, except for some examination classes). Bro Jim was presented with flower arrangements by lots of children. I think most of these had been prepared by mothers in the childrens villages.

The candles were placed on the cake by Sr Jovita, another lady and Fr Anthony, the new Director of RTU. After a very Tamil version of 'Happy Birthday', Bro James blew out his candles and cut the cake.

Immediately after cutting a small piece, Bro James handed a small piece to me, which I was about to consume, when he said 'Now put this in my mouth'! It is the custom in this parts, for the guest to place the first piece of cake into the mouth of the person celebrating.

And then he gave his speech, to all the important guests present - 80% of whom were under twelve years of age. He's always been comfortable with small children - he makes them laugh, and they all love him. This was a really nice moment, because the children were at the heart of his birthday celebrations and children had always been at the heart of all the good things he'd done.

Then, the first group of dancers appeared. They had been taught coached by a classical dancer. It was lovely to see the children celebrate in this way - it reminded me of the times the children from the school where I had worked for 25 years would celebrate St Joseph's Day with a 'Festival of Talents' in the afternoon.

A group of young people and mothers came on stage - I think these may have been recently admitted to RTU, as this was the time in the year when new children tended to join, before school proper began, and one or two of the children didn't seem to know what they were doing!

More dancers followed.

Then comics.

And then more dancers

And the boys

And more dancers

But finally, the seniors presented Bro Jim with a cake. These were the students who were now living independent lives. Educated, and many doing very well for themselves. There was a group of about 25 or so, and they had each collected money for Brother James for his birthday. It was a considerable sum, and Brother James was very pleased to receive it, but before the day was over, the money had been spent on new clothes and school uniforms for the new children.

In the afternoon I fell asleep and I didn't wake up until hours later. I missed Mass and I missed supper.