Day 7 - Writing challenge; War - Its happening or is it?

We are at war.

This is the reality. But the reality is not real for me yet.

India is my country

I live in Chennai 12000 kms away from the country's capital where neither I hear the missiles shooting up like seen in Amritsar or drone attacks intervened as witnessed in Jaisalmer or the night sky changing into a lightning as seen in Pathankot or entire city being blacked out like in Delhi or sirens and mock drills in Lucknow or  evacuations in Kashmir or artillery shelling in Bikaner or Jammu.

In my conversations with family or neighbors, we don't speak of the toil this war is having on our individual lives. We think of it, yes. We pray it deescalates. We hope it doesn't bring much harm. There is an air of anxiety and panic, but its still a smoke. What should we as fellow Indians feel?

There is no manual or masterclass on this. Its a confusing time, there are lots of thoughts but much shouldn't be said. Solidarity and brotherhood is what is required.

When I finally admitted my parents for Covid in 2021 after circling 3 hours without any hospital taking them, I thought the hard part was over. Next morning the doctor calls me and says the time for treatment is already over. You should have brought them 10 days ago. Please prepare yourselves. 

I didn't stand there frozen or speechless, I chose not to believe what he said. I heard what he said, but I knew it was not true. Is it faith or is it denial? Only I know. By the grace of God my parents did recover, slowly and steadily. I didn't know it would be a reality. But it was. 

This time is like that. Its already happening.

I don't know how I would feel about the war tomorrow. Things may look different, but I will continue to hold onto faith, preparation and courage. It has served me before. It will serve you too.

This too shall pass.