Wind and rain!

Yesterday, by the time I arrived back from the hospital, it was already getting dark although it was only 5.30pm. The sky was down cast and it was windy. There was lightning in the sky. Usually I look around on such occasions to spot birds around our cottage. It is common for some birds to take shelter to protect themselves from wind and rain.

I found this sun bird perched safely on this tree top, unmindful of the wind and the drizzle. I kept watching for its next move as the rain lashed heavily. It did lift its bills and neck upward to catch rain drops in its mouth. Soon it flew away!

As I came into our drawing room the lightning struck and the the lightning conductor tripped. On inspection I noticed that the wireless modem stopped functioning- the seventh modem in seven years. 

We have had to replace several of our electronic equipment as they were damaged by lightning over these years. 

Dulcie would be seated on the floor close to us when there is a thunderstorm. I feel her heart pounding on such occasions!

For me lightning is a frightening experience as I lost my class mate and a neighbour due to lightning, forty years ago! He went out into the courtyard to collect the clothes from the line and suffered lightning shock. He died instantly. My mother on two occasions fell down with lightning, but recovered instantly. 

There was a report of birds drop dead following lightning. 

The pre-monsoon season is therefore a difficult time. Three trees in our garden also bear the marks of lightning. 

For my neighbours, these are ordinary or normal events. During every pre-monsoon season there are several such instances. The technician who came to inspect the modem after this incident said that he had ten telephone calls from families who lost their wireless modem in lightning.

It is not easy to replace them as the electronic shops are closed except for two days in a week due to the locked down. 

Yes, there is a change in the way we would live in the coming months. The COVID 19 is there to stay according to epidemiological impressions. Those of us, who are elderly are warned that we are more vulnerable than others and for complications, if we were to catch the infection. 

It is now compulsory to wear mask, keep physical distance and avoid being in places where many people gather.  

All these are new experiences for all of us! 

We live with an increasing consciousness of our vulnerability!

We live aware of our limitations. 

We also live conscious of yet another reality, that it is in 'God we live, move and have our being'! This is the new normal!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)