Cholera

Cholera is caused by a bacteria that releases a toxin that increases the release of water into the intestines which produces severe diarrhoea. A medical explanation for a frightening infection caused by contaminated food or water. I felt so powerless to protect my family and myself from one of the most feared physical entities on earth. The cholera epidemic began in the fields outside of Damascus, the capital of Syria. The cultivated land was being irrigated with effluent. It spread its abhorrent disease throughout Syria in the fresh fruit and vegetables that were being grown on the contaminated land. The cause of the outbreak was initially unknown and the Syrian citizens were asked to cook their vegetables and to avoid eating salads which included their favourite tabouli which was made predominately from parsley and was one of the main culprits containing the deadly bacteria.
The summer of the cholera outbreak was dry. Fortunately, Skelbieh's water was supplied by a spring which originated high up in the adjoining mountains.
I washed all fruit and vegetables in soap and antiseptic.
Sadly, an elderly man from Skelbieh died from the infection. One mainly knew about deaths from cholera from word of mouth. It seemed to me to be a matter of chance if one was to be struck down by the scourge. That was a long fearful summer and one thank goodness that was never to be repeated.

Earthquake

It was a cold and still Christmas evening and the children had gone to bed. I was sitting cross legged on the carpeted floor and enjoying the glimmer of the Christmas tree lights as they illuminated the dimly lit room at regular intervals with colours of red, yellow, green and blue. It was about 11pm and I was ready to turn in for the night when the room began to shake and move from side to side in a fluid like even tempo. I heard dishes smashing onto the marble tiled kitchen floor. A rush of adrenalin seized my body and my senses became dramatically heightened. I tried not to panic but my heart was racing and my thoughts were focused only on my children's welfare. I woke them without too much ado so as not to worry them and we all proceeded to find safety on the veranda when just as unexpectedly as when it had begun the house stopped swaying. People gathered in the street below and they appeared bewildered and dazed.
We waited silently without motion for the next round of tremors but they didn't appear. There were decisions to be made. Should we camp out in the cold wintry night on the footpath or stay indoors waiting for any sign of danger.
We decided to allow the children to sleep on mattresses near the lounge room door and as we were on the first floor of our building it would not take long to descend the stairs then onto the street in a matter of minutes.
I packed a small suitcase with a change of clothes for everybody, some food, water, medicines and waited. There were a few more tremors and as they were less severe I decided not to wake the children.
The epicentre of the earthquake was in the desert east of the city of Homs. I remembered that a friend of ours who was a specialist doctor in the town, was told along with his colleagues that there was to be no leave taken over the Christmas period and all personnel at the hospital were on 24 hour notice. The government were obviously expecting an earthquake but the exact location as to where it would hit was unknown.
The light of the morning brightened our spirits and finally we felt safe.
For days after the earthquake it was an uncommon sensation to feel unbalanced as though I could not find my equilibrium.

Mahalia Jackson

I believe for every drop of rain that falls
A flower grows,
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
A candle glows,
I believe for everyone who goes astray,
Someone will come to show the way,
I believe, I believe.

I believe above the storm a smallest prayer
Will still be heard,
I believe that someone in the great somewhere
Hears every word,
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry,
Or touch a leaf, or see the sky,
Then I know why,
I believe.

The city of Hama