Turbulent Waters

Turmoil. Troubles.Turbulence.

The troubled soul needs to find solace within the turbulence.

Somewhere in the midst of everything, we will find quiet comfort.

A high-speed exposure of moving water in a fountain with underwater light.

Reflections

Quiet solitude in troubled times.

Retreat from the noise and bustle just beyond the doors.

Recluse from the world where everything moves into a world where silence reigns.

Even the footfalls fear to raise the dust from the ground.

Less the tranquility be broken.

Marriage

I used to clean my wedding ring regularly. Take it to the jeweller's and get it polished and from time to time, have the jeweller use his ring mandrel to make sure the ring is perfectly round.

All the symbolism associated with the wedding have been drummed into my head since I was a child.

The eternity of a the circle, the one-ness of the couple, the completeness of life - these were some reasons why I had spent time and energy keeping the wedding ring in near-mint condition.

Over the years, I have stopped cleaning the ring, or getting it polished or ensuring the roundness of the circle was perfect.

The countless dishes I have washed have tarnished the golden glow that once reflected the glow in my heart the day I said those two magic words.

The bits of soap that need to be scrubbed off are still there (I will get to this someday).

No, its not that I don't care about the marriage. It's just that the ring in its present condition represents marriage perfectly.

The dents, the tarnish, the loss of the golden glitter - these ARE the real symbols of marriage.  The difficult moments we have gone through, the arguments and bickering, the periods of "leave me alone" are part of a real marriage that includes the together moments shared, the joys of watching the children grow, quiet times spent.

That's what a marriage is really about - in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health - not the "happily ever after" we remember from our childhood stories.

I still remember the words I said that day - I will love you and honor you, all the days of my life.

And despite the kinks and dents in married life, I intend to keep those vows.

There was a time when the sun never set on the British Empire. There was a time when we believe that the Western powers had the secrets to progress and modernisation. There was a time when we had doubts in our own ability to create, to achieve, to succeed.

That time is long past. We need to realise that we have the power within us to make things happen, the will within us to create a new tomorrow, the desire within us to leave a legacy that the generations to come will appreciate.

Make a difference to our world. Now. Because there may not be a tomorrow.

After the Rain, the Sun will Shine

After the dreariness of winter, the world awakens to the new life of spring.  After the rain dampens the earth, the sun brings the warmth back again.

Everything in life will pass.

The pain will go away.  The joys too will be replaced with other concerns and worries.

Life is a cycle.

Smart lad, to slip betimes away

I've been away and meant to post the lovely photos taken during my travels. But I came home and heard that my friends lost a son. He was only twenty-four. I couldn't bear to attend the funeral today. I've seen too many young ones going before me. I have seen the sorrow many times over and still don't know how to deal with it.

I can't tell them that the pain will go away. I can't tell them that time will heal the sorrow. I can't tell them that their son is in a happier place. I can't tell his siblings that their brother will be okay.

I said a prayer for the family. For the parents - people I have known for decades - that they may find the strength to live on for their other children and each other.

I said a prayer for me. That even having lost so many family and friends, I will find strength and courage in facing the pains.

Goodbye, Andrew.

Eyes the shady night has shut.