blackout

Perhaps I foreshadowed the blackness (a little lighting pun) or my prayers to really understand African life came true at the crack of lightning. Either way, the evening created a great story that this author can only chronicle rather take any credit for its ingenuity despite the possible use of literary tools.

We made spiral ham with mashed potatoes for dinner. Oh my- it was tasty. The aromas brought back memories of Christmases past, when we gathered around the table and did our best to get in at least three servings of mashed potatoes before we were stuffed. If Granny June had just “happened to have an apple pie,” the meal would have been completely heavenly. I mentioned this memory to my co-cook, and we started talking about holiday traditions. Right as the children lined up to eat, the thunder cracked and the afternoon sky grew dark and grey. Suddenly, without warning, the lights went out.

This tends to be a common occurrence in Africa including times at the training center in Uganda because generators go out or the power just disappears. Even our African choir manager has commented that she felt back at home when the power goes out.

Well, not being fully acquainted with this typical way of life and still needing to clean the kitchen, torches were sought out from every drawer, nook, and cranny. (Small aside, this experience was a bit more positive than what would occur at my normal house. Torches would be found, maybe, but inevitably the batteries would be dead. Thankfully, I can count on my mom to have the house well supplied with candles to reestablish mood lighting.)
We also found three candles to light. Immediately, I took the cue to start Silent Night. The other chaperons joined me with beautiful harmonies long enough to grace the children with the first two verses. What a magical meal!

Foreshadowing is mysteriously fantastic that way. It prompts me to relive, reread or review the story to pick out the instances that give clues about the struggle or the climax. I appreciate each moment as it did happen because most of the time, I would never come up with something so clever and spectacular. Truth is funny and perfect that way.