Days passed without any sign or communication from Gideon or Marla. Although this was not unusual, I wanted so badly to discuss my dream with them. Was it really a dream? And if it wasn't, then what had really happened? The normal chores of everyday life took over again, and I busied myself with meeting the ordinary problems at hand. Deadlines seemed to be everywhere. I never did like the word ?deadline? and made feeble attempts, a number of times,to change it into ?life-line.? That didn't make much sense either, so I dropped it and continued about my daily business. Gideon, Marla and my dream faded into the background of my memory.
This evening it became dark earlier than usual. Black clouds, monster clouds, came from out of the east and covered the sky. Flashes of lightning and loud cracks of thunder split the air. I was reminded of mighty Thor hurling his angry thunderbolts at a cowering, frightened people. And then the rains came. The weather forecasters were saying that there would be heavy rain throughout the night. Radio and television stations were warning of flash floods and there was talk of tornadoes. It was very unusual for us to have tornadoes in our area.
Malika, Jonathan and I sat watching the updated reports on television. I had never seen a tornado except in the movie The Wizard of Oz. I did not now, nor do I ever, want to see one in real life. What powerful forces they were, rampaging across the land, destroying everything in their paths. Our house sits somewhat higher off the road than the others in the neighborhood,and we are surrounded by tall pines and other large trees. I looked out the window and witnessed the trees swaying wildly in the wind. The storm had increased its fury and would keep up this pace all night.
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We all went to bed feeling anxious. Like all things, I thought, this, too, shall pass. I fell asleep listening to the howling of the wind and the sound of the rain as it beat against the windows. At about six o'clock the next morning, I awoke. It seemed as if the entire house were shaking. Somewhat frightened by the commotion, the children had rushed into my bedroom and were looking out through the window. It was already getting lighter as I got up and looked out on one of the most amazing scenes I have ever encountered.
The rain was a sheet of water and the wind blew with such force that a few tall trees in a neighbor's yard had already snapped in two. A tall, stately pine, not more than 30 feet from my window, swung to and fro like a pendulum gone berserk.
?Do you think it will fall on the house, if it breaks?? asked Malika, her voice bringing me back to the potential danger.
?It's possible,? I said as calmly as I could.
?Aren't we supposed to go down to the basement, Daddy?? Asked Jonathan. Just as he spoke, all the electricity went out.
?Yes, we are, Jonathan, but not just yet. I think everything will be fine.? I spoke with the hope of reassuring them rather than with any real conviction. Another burst of thunder echoed as I heard a voice in my head say, ?A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee.?
I repeated the words to myself, remembering that they came from the Book of Psalms. I made a mental note to check it out. The words persisted for a few more seconds, and then the entire house shook with another crack of thunder. I stood gawking, an awe-struck witness to the power of nature. A sudden calm came over me, and I knew with great certainty that all would be well.
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John Harricharan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Web Development, Religion and Web Development. Lecturer, entrepreneur and MBA business consultant, John Harricharan is the author of the award-winning book, "When You Can Walk on Water, Take the Boat."