24 May, 2024

The impact of adversity!










I look a long walk in our garden today in the afternoon, when there was a longer respite from rain, than in the previous four days. What I noticed alarmed me. 

The flowers, such as  rose, desert rose, Mussaenda, and Ixora  did not show any signs of changes in their complexion and configuration of the petals after the rain fall. 

The flowers of Lily and Jasmine showed significant changes. The Lilies,  having been swayed in the wind and rain, were drooping. 

The jasmine flowers showed signs of decay of the petals with colours unusual to the jasmine. 

The jasmine flowers stayed bright and fragrant for about three days normally. The incessant rains for three days damaged the petals and the buds with water,  soaking the flowers and buds. I wonder whether there is an added toxic effect of pollutants in the air, which come down with rain water! 

Those who endure hardships do so because of multiple reasons beyond their control.

This striking illustration of adversity affecting normal life of flowers, brought memories of several stories, I came across in my professional work with families, who had children with Neuro-developmental needs. 

One story of a girl with resistant rickets comes to my mind. At the age of eight, since she was diagnosed, is under treatment for renal tubular acidosis. The father knowing the implication of this illness in future, is in and out of depression for five years now. He is a different person now temperamentally and socially. 

Some adverse events shake us beyond what we can endure or cope with!

The  system that forms the social fabric of our society is success driven and suits those who are well poised to make upward mobility. 

Those who feel displaced for different reasons, live depleted, disadvantaged and defeated!

The jasmine flowers who got damaged in the rain brought a message of how some people can feel denied of opportunities and prospects in life. 

A paediatrician makes a telephone call to some families, whom he feels would need encouragement, to help them to overcome the distress associated with the illness of their child. He has had this habit for twenty five years. 

How encouraging it is to come across such people who feel for those who live vulnerably!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 


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