Darkness of night
Dr Fahim Chand | Monday March 27, 2023 06:00
However, the gloomy winter weather makes it difficult to receive adequate sun, which can impair your mood, sex life, and — you guessed it — sleep cycle. Though this rarely happens in Botswana.
Only half an hour in the summer sun helps your body manufacture more vitamin D than the daily required amount (though exact measurements depend on your skin tone). And all that D keeps your bones strong, promotes healthy immunological function, and aids in the absorption of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K. After a month of reduced exposure to sunlight, we may experience hormone imbalances that can lead to feelings of depression. In the absence of sunlight, I traversed the now lonely sidewalk to my car in the parking lot. The angry winter God pelted my flushed face with freezing Arctic air as the night’s talons tightened around my torso.
As I hunched my shoulders together to encourage the conservation of heat within my body, I prayed for the end of my cold journey. I eventually got to my car and started the engine. Instinctively I reached over and turned on the heating. My academic day had just ended.
It had been dark outside when I arrived at school in the morning, and my departure again welcomed the darkness of night. I wasn’t sure which of the situations induced by a lack of sunlight bothered me the most while I waited for the car to warm up. As music had always been the most potent antidote, I leaned over to launch the soaring start of Simple Minds’ now legendary Don’t You.
A flawlessly crafted elixir of musical excellence. Winter appeared to have dimmed the lights as I drove through the quiet streets of London, Ontario. I entered my Forest Hill apartment complex’s indoor parking and took the customary route to my designated parking spot. As I drove into my space I saw a car waiting patiently behind me to complete my maneuvoer, as his parking was next to mine. I swiftly exited my car and unlocked the boot to grab my school supplies. The automobile which was now in front of me was a stunning deep blue Chrysler. A quick scan at the licence plate revealed a customised Ontario plate bearing the initials T JIBB. I never found out what the T stood for throughout my three years at Forest Hill. Tiberius, Thomas, Terrence? Both the driver’s and passenger’s doors opened at the same time. An elderly couple emerged slowly from the attractive automobile. What struck me was they appeared to be extensions of one another.
They were both dressed in deep blue winter coats that matched their automobile, as well as matching spectacles and white hair. They too lifted their boot to reveal a recent shopping excursion to the grocery store. His wife stood calmly alongside him as he gathered the bags. I said hello, and with a fleeting glance from both of them, they responded. As I continued to observe, they seemed shy and guarded. I offered to assist to carry the groceries because they were clearly heavy. He paused for a fraction of a second, then smiled and said thank you. As we made our way into the building towards the elevator, I took the bags. I was struck by how they appeared to be inextricably linked. They strolled next to one another and seemed to find comfort in each other’s company. When we reached the building’s door, he accelerated. As he opened the door, he appeared to stoop slightly in honour of his spouse. With her head held high and her contented demeanor she marched forth. She was accustomed to being his adored queen. The pleasant chime signalled the lift’s arrival and a gentle touch on the arm and back ushered her inside. Delivering the bags into the flat again allowed me an intimate and front row observance of this beautiful love story. Their voices seemed coated with honey when they spoke to each other, their movements perpetually coordinated. I stood outside their door and smiled to myself. Winter’s depression long gone. I have no idea how long they were married but they were an inspiration. I wanted what they had. Today’s world is a different place. According to a recent Pew Research Centre research, around four in 10 persons between the ages of 25 and 54 were neither married or living with a romantic partner in 2019. Since 1990, the figures have increased by 29%. This raises the question of why people, particularly men, are opting not to marry these days. There are several reasons why.
Millennials are disheartened by the 40-50% divorce rate for first-time marriages. Second marriages perform considerably worse, with 60-70% of them failing. Divorce is a protracted legal struggle that drains your resources and continues to do so even after the procedures are through. The concept of marriage was created by religion. A unification under God. As less people in the first world align with religion, they no longer feel the motivation to make it “official.”
Frankly speaking, marriage is expensive and young people cannot afford it. Unable to save money for deposits for homes, and no desire to be tied to long term expensive mortgages, not to mention the cost of raising children, people are happy using dating apps to engage in non-committed relationships. There are many other reasons. What defines a life well lived? Of this I’m not really sure but I’m pretty certain I saw it that day at Forest Hill. It was easy to see they saw the world in each other’s eyes. It is in the honour and respect and of course the undying love they professed to each other. Sometimes you just have to take a chance.