‘My strength and my heart may fail,

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever ‘

Psalm 73:26

On a cold November evening, we received a call from our hometown ; My father in law had become unconscious; There seemed to be no pulse .

This was something we all feared would happen anytime .. He was 92 years old . Fiercely independent, he had continued to stay all by himself after my Mother in law’s demise . Till he turned a nonagenarian he managed with part time help .

The days of life are seventy years , or perhaps eighty , if we are strong ; even then their span is only till and trouble: they are soon gone ,and we fly away

Psalm 90: 10 .

This time , my son was better prepared for death . Having witnessed all his other grand parents pass away in a span of few years , he had become accustomed to the finality of death – He understood that their disappearance from the face of the Earth didn’t mean non existence. They were with Jesus , enjoying eternal life !

However goodbye meant pain .. Jeff had always made sure that he talked to his Grandfather every weekend . He would advise him to eat well . Was he hoping that would prolong his life? I am not sure !

Unlike the other Grandparents, he took a long time to accept that Jeff was on the Autism spectrum. In the early years , much of his challenges were attributed to ‘bad parenting ‘ much to our dismay . Later on he met a family of a boy with similar condition, in the church . He must have noticed some similarities . A talk with the parents finally helped to change his perspective.

After my parent’s demise , Jeff moved closer to his paternal grandfather . He insisted on visiting him almost every month ; Not a single evening did he forget to pray ardently for Grandpa’s good health . Time and again he asked us why he was staying alone .

Jeff was not his Grandfather’s favourite; .. yet he was the one who called him most frequently . He knew very well that he wasn’t the favoured one – but that was of no consequence as far as he was concerned! His love has always been unconditional..

During his later days , Jeff’s Grandfather seemed to be more concerned about him ,insisting on our praying more fervently for a complete healing . Meanwhile our concept of God had undergone a sea change . God our loving father , would give us whatever we need , at the right time. His will was all that we should seek .

Daddy was always praying in his final days .. God blessed him with a peaceful exit . He was resting in the sofa while he was called home .

Even though I may walk through the shadow of death , I shall fear no evil,for thou art with me , – thy rod and thy staff – they comfort me .

Psalm 23:4

O give thanks to the Lord ,

Call on his name ,

Make known his deeds

Among the peoples .

Sing to him ,Sing praises to him ;

Tell of all his wonderful works .

Glory in his holy name ;

Let the hearts of those who

seek the Lord rejoice!

Psalm 105:1–3

After ‘Arabian Nights ‘ there was a break in theatre classes . It was a time of reflection for us – In the past year , Jeff had no art classes as his teacher had moved out of the city . Though she had promised us to find a suitable professional, it did not materialise.

We had also been searching for an artist, praying fervently all along but to no avail .

Why do you hold back your hand ?

Why do you keep your hand in your bosom ?

Psalm74:11

When we went to our Neurologist for the regular follow up , he asked us if Jeff was attending art classes in the institute attached to a famous gallery in our city . He had told us about this place when he had finished his schooling but we had not looked at that option. The reasons were many . At that time , we had not discovered his talent in Art . Moreover we were wary of sending him to a such a busy place.

This time , however we decided to proceed to this institute , hopeful of finding an artist who would be willing to work with him on one on one basis .

The gallery was a huge building built in traditional architectural style. Behind it stood an unpretentious building called College of Visual Arts. The campus looked very welcoming with plenty of trees around .. There was a cafe tucked away in a corner .

We hurried to the office to make enquiries . Fortunately for us,the Principal was free to meet us – A young ,energetic, unassuming person who instantly put us at ease . After the initial pleasantries, he was keen to see Jeff’s work . Thanks to technology, we had some pictures of this work and practice sheets on our cell phones. Curiously enough , the Principal seemed to be captivated with Jeff’s explorations with water colours . He went on to ask Jeff a few things . Slowly we revealed our intention . But he had a different suggestion altogether.

Why not enrol your son in our bachelor program? he asked . The institution was an evening college catering to persons of different ages and backgrounds. The classes were about to begin .we were just a day away from the closure of admissions. This time there was a child on the spectrum who has applied and Jeff would be the next person.

College ? We weren’t too sure ! Though it was just a few kilometres away from our home, commuting everyday would turn out to be a nightmare considering the heavy traffic in the evenings . Jeff would not be able to use the public transport due to his challenges . Moreover, bachelor’s program would mean exams at the end of every semester. Both Jeff and I never wanted to go through that again ! We expressed our hesitation.

“How can you say ‘No’, before trying this out ? ” insisted the Principal . He urged us to enrol him and try it out for 6 months . At the end of the first semester, we could make a decision and pay the rest of the fees if we decided for it . That sounded like a wise suggestion and we enrolled Jeff for the course .

All the parents were called for counselling . We saw students of various age group- in colourful attires , hair dyed in various hues . My son looked as though he was from another time period altogether! Much to my surprise my conservatively dressed son chose to sit next to one of those interesting personalities!

The teachers were all young and open minded . They wanted some more input about Jeff . We organised a meeting with the teachers and our former mentor when she came down to the city . She described her journey with him in detail . His learning style , strengths, how to engage him in a conversation, the strategies that worked and did not work , she covered it all . She even elicited a few laughs when narrated the instances where he took some directions literally !

Classes began . I have never seen my son so excited and happy about his classes in his academic life.An hour before he left , he would start humming and singing! He announced to all and sundry that he was going to college ! We realised how much it meant to him.It was his long cherished dream ! At the end of the first semester, we confidently proceeded to pay the remainder of the fees .

Trust in the Lord with all your heart ,

And do not rely on your own insight ,

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths .

Proverbs 3:5&6

It was another moment of affirmation.. God has a plan and he reveals it at the right time ..If he had joined immediately after his senior secondary, Covid would have disrupted his classes .. His learning would have been restricted to the confines of internet and home .

I must say that we were pushed to his college , an option we never ever considered, by pure divine intervention. Many a time I had become discouraged thinking why we were unable to find a teacher for him . we had no idea that behind the curtain, God was busy , putting his plan together .His watchful eyes never left us !

For surely I know the plans I have for you , says the Lord , plans for your welfare and not for harm , to give you a future with hope .

Jeremiah 29:11

We will not hide them from our children

We will tell to the coming generation

the glorious deeds of the Lord

and his might and the wonders

that he has done .

Psalm 78:4

After returning from a short trip to a coastal metropolitan city in southern India , where St Thomas , the apostle of India was buried , I am tempted to take a jump to the present!

Chennai , formerly called Madras,has a rich history that spans centuries – Merchants from far away lands flocking to its port- for its cotton , silk and spices . 

The city has a special place for  Indian Christians . It’s where Thomas , the apostle was martyred. Over his tomb was constructed Santhome Cathedral, one of the three such cathedrals that houses the tomb of an apostle ; the others being St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican &Santiago  Basilica Galicia, Spain . 

When we decided to take a short break, St.Thomas came to my mind .. A visit long over due .. There are three sites connected to St Thomas in Chennai – Little mount where St Thomas lived , St Thomas Mount where he was martyred and Santhome cathedral where he was buried . 

Thomas is believed to have traveled to Kerala on the west coast of South India, along with some Jewish traders . There he preached the gospel to the Jews and the locals . Soon a strong community of Christians emerged thanks to the favourable atmosphere in the state .  The Christians in Kerala came to be called Nasranis – (followers of  the one from Nazareth  ) a name that exits even today ..

It’s believed that the early converts were Brahmins , the priestly class . However historians point out that Brahmins came to Kerala much later .The DNA analysis of the early St thomas Christians reveal an interesting amalgam – of Jewish & South Indian decent .  

In a caste centred social system, one can guess why the early converts opted to be known as Brahmin Christians ! 

After establishing 7 and a half churches ( half being a small church) in Kerala, Thomas is believed to have travelled to the neighbouring state . There too ,many forsook their old ways and embraced the faith . It’s believed that a great number of them migrated to Kerala(could be either due to  persecution or natural calamities) and joined their brethren. 

St Thomas was killed by a spear while he was in prayer at st Thomas mount  . 

As I knelt down at the shrine at st thomas mount , where the bleeding  stone cross is kept , my heart swelled up in gratitude remembering my ancestors who must have listened to the good news as preached by St Thomas  around AD 70. 

I am not sure about  their lineage or the  colour of their skin .. but one thing is certain- they had responsive hearts ,hearts that melted when they heard about the Messiah , hearts that received the good news and passed it on to their children ..

Thomas Christians , as we are called , have a lot to be thankful for – Beginning with St Thomas . One of the earliest Christian community in the world came up in the least expected place only because of Doubting Thomas .. The community though split into different groups now , under Catholic ,  orthodox and Protestant churches , still retain their fervour. The mighty hand of the Lord has protected us from attacks from within and without. 

He allowed no one to suppress them ;

He rebuked kings in their account

Psalm 105:14

The seed had indeed fallen on good soil , enriched by the blood of St Thomas !

Thomas, whence thy lineage,
That so illustrious thou shouldst become?
A merchant thy bones conveys;
A Pontiff assigns thee a feast;
A King a shrine erects.

Neither promised nor hoped for,
One thing more did he [the creator] give.
In India thy wonders,
In our land thy triumph,
Everywhere thy festival.

Wonders during life thou performest,
These, after death, thou still continuest :
Under great bodily fatigue
In one region only didst thou heal.
Now, everywhere, without labor thou cure.

— From a hymn by Saint Ephraem

Sing aloud to God our strength:

Shout for Joy to the God of Jacob .

Raise a song , sound the tambourine,

The sweet lyre with the harp .

Psalm 81:1&2

It was showtime ! After months of rehearsals and a show that almost happened , all the youngsters were ready to take on the stage !

The group was a potpourri of sorts – kids , &young adults , neurotypical & those with challenges – All united in their purpose ! Excitement and enthusiasm engulfed them all !

We , the parents on the other hand , were oscillating between excitement and despair . Some days of rehearsals were good , some disappointing. We were unsure of what to expect on the day of performance. But our director and coach , Ma’am, was surprisingly unperturbed! She told us that we had done what we could ! The rest is in God’s hands .We were urged to hand over the reins to Him .

Many prayers went up that evening !

Listen to the sound of my cry ,

My king , My God

For to you , I pray

Psalm 5:2

We had invited all those who matter to Jeff for this important event. My sisters and their families, his cousins , our relatives , some friends , his school teachers and his first speech therapist – all had assured us that they would be at the venue on time .

Two hours before the show , the actors were all dressed in exotic Arabian costumes.. Our director asked them to walk through the wrap around veranda of the auditorium to greet the audience who were waiting for the doors to open . This was a master stroke !There were loud shouts and cheers all around ! The actors got recharged on seeing their dear ones !

Jeff was too excited for words ! With a beaming face , he spotted his favourite people all in one place ! It must have been too overwhelming for him.

The evening started with the market scene in Alibaba – where all the actors had a part . After Alibaba , the stage was set for Alladin and the Lamp . The first scene started with my son , the Sultan , delivering a monologue about the difficulties of bringing up a daughter ! To my dismay , when the curtain was raised, my son stood still , peering into the darkness where the audience sat , trying to see where his folks were! My heart missed a few beats ! In a hoarse whisper , I called out to him from the wings – Say your lines !

With a start , he began delivering his lines . I do not know what the director had conceptualised regarding Sultan but Jeff came across as an absent minded funny character. The audience was giggling whenever he spoke his lines !

There were some natural actors too ! The boy who played Genie charmed the audience with his spontaneity! This boy with Asperger Syndrome proved to be an excellent entertainer.

There was another who made all the difference- a neurotypical young man who played the role of Aladdin – Polite and charming , he skilfully managed the dynamics on the stage , by guiding the rest of the cast gently . He was the glue that held it all together.

The green room witnessed many a stressed parent as we helped the children in and out of their colourful yet elaborate costumes . We hardly got a few seconds between the scenes to help them as there was no interval . Some insisted on doing it all by themselves to our exasperation!

The audience gave a standing ovation at the end of the performance. Undoubtedly our kids had broken the glass ceiling , dispelling the cloud of limited expectations, associated with those with challenges .

I pondered over all that I saw on the stage as regards my son . It was the first time he was on the stage with a speaking role – He managed to deliver the dialogue and even displayed a subtle protective attitude towards Jasmine , his daughter , the Princess ! This was a major achievement as expression of emotions , verbal or non verbal has been always a challenge .

we all made our way back home under the starry sky with our hearts brimming with hope and joy!

For once we were happy to be proved wrong !

The prayers of all the mothers and the director had reached Him !

God has indeed been gracious to us ! His eyes are always on the helpless !

Let all who seek you rejoice

and be glad in you .

Let all those who love your salvation

Say evermore, “God is great ! “

Psalm 70:4

Sing to the Lord a new song ,

For he has done marvellous things .

His right hand and his holy arm

Have gotten him victory.

Psalm 98:1

After the Covid season ,my son ventured into a new territory- Theatre , stepping out of home to the studio , where he was expected to sing , dance , speak and interact with others – This appeared to be a challenge at first . Covid scare still dominated his thoughts . He refused to let go of the face mask in public places . N 19 mask had become a part of this face !

But his trainer,a God fearing lady with many years of experience in the field ,would not take no for an answer . Reluctantly he attended the first sessions without his mask . She in her own unique way , drew him out of the shell in which he had become too comfortable .

But he enjoyed the sessions tremendously and looked forward to the weekend. Soon the teacher announced that she was planning a stage production , a dance drama based on the universal favourite, The Arabian Nights .

It was to be staged in eight months time at a coveted venue in the city . The actors would be children and young adults drawn from varying backgrounds and challenges. The show would last for one and a half hours.

Our group had mostly kids with special needs along with some neurotypical children from our teacher’s church . She was also working with two other groups – one from a residential facility for differently abled – and the other , her own charitable organisation for migrant labourer’s children .They would all come together , unveiling two stories on the stage – Alibaba and Aladdin.

To be honest , her vision scared me .. This would mean our children memorising the script which would run to pages , learning expression through gestures , movement and voice modulation . More than anything else this task requires generous amount of physical and mental stamina. Will our children be able to manage this ? But there was excitement in the air ! Most of our kids had never been on stage . Some like mine had never acted before .

My anxious thoughts zipped through crests and troughs .. Arabian Nights ? I wasn’t sure . As a child Jeff never liked fairy tales or fantasy stories. He could not even relate to history . When Jeff was offered the role of Sultan , Father of Jasmine , the princess in Alladin and the Lamp , I felt even more doubtful.

This was definitely a mammoth task ! But our trainer was not someone who would shy away from a challenge . Rather she plunged right into it with all her heart and soul . Help came in the form of volunteers , from a neighbouring college and her friends at the church . These ladies tirelessly worked with her till the very end .

We were handed over the script, scene by scene . There were on line sessions on week days and on Saturdays , the whole group gathered and practised together.

Those were the days of sweat and tears .. Each child struggled with his / her own challenges- Some, especially the ones on the Autism spectrum ,learnt the lines quickly but emotion was lacking in the dialogue delivery . It was just the opposite with those with other intellectual disabilities. Learning the lines proved to be difficult but they could emote very well ..

The teacher had to start with the very basics -Right from entering the stage , their body language, gestures & their dialogue. She was not looking for a performance that would match the limited expectations usually associated with such performances.

Week after week , she urged us to raise the bar .. Believing in our kids would bring about wonders .In our private conversations, I came to know how strong her faith was .She would wake up in the wee hours of morning , praying for all her children ( as she called them ) , seeking guidance from Heaven . And the kids amazed us by displaying remarkable improvement every week .

For mortals , it is impossible but for God all things are possible

Matthew 19:26

Soon it was the day of dress rehearsals. We practiced at the venue the whole day .

The sweltering summer heat mercilessly beat upon us . At the end of the day , all were exhausted. Then a very unexpected turn of events struck us . Our show had to be postponed due to security concerns as it coincided with the vote counting day of our state elections.

There was a lot of disappointment and confusion . The actors were perturbed by this change . Especially those on the spectrum struggled to process this disruption . I truly believed it was for the best .

We could not have performed well due to the low energy level of the kids .Some more days of rehearsals were definitely needed.

After a short break , we continued our practice as the next available date was a few months away .

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God , who are called according to his purpose .

Romans 8:28

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary

Praise him in his mighty firmament .

Praise him for his mighty deeds;

Praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

Psalm 150:1&2

Covid scourge finally seemed to have left the Earth , but not without leaving some repercussions…It’s tentacles had reached out and encircled the whole humanity in a vicious embrace .. There was no one who wasn’t affected – either mentally or physically.

When the world opened up again , everyone started getting back to their former lives . But it wasn’t easy for those on the Autism spectrum. Fear of infection still lingered on their minds . My son refused to leave the safe confines of his home . He seemed to be satisfied with on line classes and virtual socialisation.

Adding to that, his teacher decided to take a long break from work . We weren’t sure when / if she would resume her classes . But Jeff’s sketch books were getting filled with interesting images . He seemed to be having a special talent in inventing beautiful shades by mixing up the primary colours . His water colour paintings were quite unique.

I was baffled by this situation. His art teacher was the answer to our prayers and somehow I had assumed she would accompany us in this journey till we reached its destination.

The more I brooded over this , the more anxious I became . Disappointed, I took my woes to the Lord , waiting for him to bring her back !

Let my cry come before you , O Lord ;

give me understanding according to your word .

Let my supplication come before you ;

deliver me according to your promise.

119:169&170

It was then I came to know about the Drama and Movement classes conducted by a prayerful lady for those with special needs . She had a quarter century experience in working in special schools ; Now she wanted to try the hybrid platform – on line and off line , to continue her work . The classes were on line during the week and physical at the weekend .

Theatre was something we had not tried before. This was also an opportunity for persuading Jeff come out of his self imposed isolation . He could meet his peers and socialise with them. Needless to mention, we signed up for the classes .

The parent had to support their children during in line classes but they were on their own during physical classes . This lady was so full of life ! Her laughter and enthusiasm would make even a stone dance !

Soon her overflowing positivity enveloped the kids and they responded to her very well . At the same time she expected discipline and would not tolerate any laid back attitude. More than anything else, she aimed high with an unshakable faith in their capabilities . Meanwhile we , the parents were plagued with doubts .

Soon our kids would prove her right!

It is the Lord who goes before you . He will be with you ; He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed .

Deuteronomy 31:8

“Out of the depths I cry to you , O Lord.

Lord , hear my voice !

Let your ears be attentive to the voice

Of my supplications!”

Psalm 130:1&2

As the Holy Week progresses, one cannot but help noticing the long lines at the confessionals this year .

At least ,in my parish ,there seems to be a resurgence of trust in the spiritual efficacy of confession,among the faithful . Or was it Covid scare that kept them away from the confessional ?

If you ,O Lord , should mark iniquities,

Lord , who could stand ?

But there’s forgiveness with you

So that you may be revered

Psalm 130:3&4

The psalmist echoes the voice of every believer who has been going through the period of Lent sincerely. These are the days of introspection, reflection and repentance.

We accompanied Jesus during his triumphant entry to Jerusalem singing Hosanna , on Palm Sunday . Now we dine with him at the last supper . Soon we would be following Jesus on that agonising journey to Calvary .

Around two thousand years ago , this day , he stood before Pilate , condemned to the death of a criminal, rejected by all ..The crowds insisted that he be crucified- the same crowd that followed him every where looking for healing or a miracle.

The ruthless soldiers dragged him on to Calvary .. Jesus moved on with blood dripping from every cell of his body . With her heart laden with unshed tears, Mother Mary accompanied her son.

I am awestruck when I ponder over the sorrowful heart of the Mother .. That day , all she witnessed must have been betrayal ..

Judas , who betrayed the son of God for a paltry amount – thirty silver coins ..It doesn’t end with Judas .. The disciples ran away , frightened. Peter whom the Lord had called the rock , proved to be disloyal too.

The scripture says that she continued to be with the disciples .She was present at the upper room on the day of Pentecost. She never abandoned those who abandoned her son .

She must have repeated the prayer of her son too ..

Father , Forgive them , They do not know what they are doing

Luke 23:34

And here I am , unable to forgive and forget !

Do not judge and you will not be judged ; do not condemn , and you will not be condemned, Forgive , and you will be forgiven .

Luke 6:37&38

Somehow human mind keeps retrieving the files of those whom we have forgiven , rendering it impossible to forget !

Forgetting the wrongs done to us , I realise can be done only with divine help .

May Mother Mary intercede for us !

O Israel , hope in the Lord !

For with the Lord there’s steadfast love ,

And with him is great power to redeem .

It is he who will redeem Israel

from all its iniquities.

Psalm 130 :6&7

I will call to the kind the deeds of the Lord ;

I will remember your wonders of old .

I will meditate on all your work,and muse on your mighty deeds

Psalm 77:11

One day , before the outbreak of Covid , a friend forwarded a message to me – It was an invitation for all the differently abled , professionals and their parents of our diocese to come together for a meeting at the Bishop’s office. The message was from a well known priest who was actively involved in social work for the underprivileged. He was heading the outreach program of our diocese.The intention was to know about the challenges of the community , for effectively planning their work .

Finally ! , I thought , Someone from the Church would like to know about our issues .. Our painful experience at a Catholic college was still fresh on our minds . The clergy as far as I knew , had little knowledge about Autism . Infact this was quite obvious to all the parents who tried to enrol their children in the Faith formation classes .

All this while, I had stayed away from any personal connect with the religious . I had only polite , minimal conversations with them . I wasn’t ready to take the plunge , though I felt it could be a golden opportunity to highlight the concerns of the parents .

Jeff was attending his Art sessions at his teacher’s residence ,back then . Her house was in same neighbourhood as the Diocesean office . We usually walked around in the neighbourhood till the session ended . Strangely , the timing of the meeting also coincided with the sessions . Was it divine will , that I should attend this meeting? I wasn’t sure . Nevertheless I decided to venture into this unknown territory.

The session was chaired by the Bishop , attended by the heads of various congregations and charitable organisations involved in caring for the differently abled. There was just a handful of parents in this august company.

The discussions became emotional as parents spoke about the lack of inclusion in Catholic schools & the apathetic attitude of the parish priests .After listening to us intently , the bishop suggested that parents join the outreach program. Looking around I noticed that none of the parents of kids with Autism had volunteered .A feeling that I am letting go of something precious came over me and my hand went up !

I had crossed that bridge between a ordinary Catholic Church member and the clergy in that instant – My parish priest hardly knew me ;Like the majority of the church goers , I too had only a hazy idea of the different rungs in the Catholic Church . .

Needless to say I was clueless about navigating through the maze of church administrative hierarchy. As time passed on , I came to realise many things . Contrary to what I thought, the diocese administrators had very little say about the functioning of the Catholic institutions.

I did not have the vaguest idea of how these committees work. The priest heading the committee was involved in many projects and most of the responsibilities were handed over to some of the the lay members . The decision makers had their own fixed ideas. My only intent was to make a change , a tangible one for the children with special needs whereas the focus of the committee was on events .More often than not , I felt all the activities were discussed and pre planned before the meetings were held .

Spending more time with my son in the spectrum had changed me too ..I was too open and direct and assumed the whole world interacted in the same way – at times unable to understand the non verbal cues or the undercurrents . In short I felt I was not contributing anything at all .. None of the true issues of Autism was taken up. Disappointed,I took my troubles to the Lord . Sitting before the Holy sacrament in my favourite chapel , I poured out my heart- the Initial enthusiasm, the blocks and my confusion ; asking Him if I should stay on in that committee.

Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning

For in you I put my trust .

Teach me the way I should go ,

For to you I lift up my soul .

Psalm 143:10

As usual I couldn’t hear His voice . But I saw a reflection of an old friend on the glass door of the sanctuary. She had come to the chapel too . We had a quick conversation. Before I could tell her the details , she asked me to stay on. There would a time when you would be able to do meaningful work, she said . I took it as the answer to my prayer .

Months passed by but there was no change . Then came Covid shutting us all down. During lockdown days I seriously thought of quitting . Wasn’t it pointless to be in a position where one couldn’t work at all ?

Quite unexpectedly things changed .. The there were some unexpected radical changes and the style of functioning of the committee became democratic . Hope rekindled in my heart . This time I might be able to do something for the community!

The Lord never disappoints those who wait on Him ! And I am glad he taught me the value of patience in prayer !

Commit your way to the Lord ;

Trust in him and he will act .

He will make your vindication

Shine like the light

And the justice of your cause

like a noonday

Psalm 37:5&6

Praise the Lord !

Praise the Lord from heavens ;

Praise him in the heights !

Praise him all his angels;

Psalm 148:1-3

Our days once again became interesting- There were Robotic , Music & Art classes. Jeff also joined a gym ; He has always been wanting to have a six pack body , thanks to his fascination with Bollywood ! He enjoyed all the classes ; his favourite , however were his sessions at the gym .

Art was ,a hitherto unexplored territory- his sketches of human faces had a caricature quality to it ; he was able to capture the emotions in his own unique way. My non artistic, Neuro typical eye found his drawings disproportionate whereas his teacher asserted that he had his unique style . I somehow found it hard to believe.

She started an Instagram page for him and lo and behold ! Her artist friends lauded his work . They found it to unrestrained and natural .

Then came Covid 19 .. quite unexpectedly. The world watched in horror as it spread from one end to the other , gripping every race within its vicious arms – It was like living in a horror movie ..

Out of the depths I cry to you , O Lord

Lord , hear my voice !

Let your ears be attentive

to the voice of my supplications!

Psalm 130:1&2

Initially the world underestimated the potential of the virus , assuming the pandemic to disappear in a few months .It was wise , we thought, not to add on to my son’s stress .. But soon the situation worsened , there was a brief shut down , followed by a complete lockdown .

The city became unusually quiet- There was no question of venturing out at all . All the classes came to a standstill . Jeff missed his gym badly . And soon we had to tell our son ; we spoke about the virus in the mildest of terms . But there were the newspapers , TV channels & the internet for his inquisitive mind . He scoured the newspapers every day for Covid related data . His anxiety was definitely spiralling upwards .

Added to that his neurologist had been trying to reduce his dosage for anti epileptic medication. After three years of lull , epilepsy raised its ugly head . There were a few episodes. Life was getting to be tougher .

Change is difficult for the autistic mind ; more so when it’s uncertain and ever changing. On line Robotic classes soon came to an abrupt halt due to a glitch. The only solace was Art class.. Though the teacher had moved to a hilly village far away , the classes continued. The network was weak in that area ; but she discovered a spot close to the main road where the reception was much better . Her thoughtfulness made a remarkable difference to Jeff’s stress level !

It wasn’t easy either for her or for us .. But we managed to make use of that hopeless time. Jeff started exploring water colours ; he seemed to have a good eye for colour ; he created a lot of interesting shades with the primary colours . More importantly, a sense of serenity seemed to envelop him as he filled the pages with beautiful shades .

It was also a time of spiritual renewal for us – We could listen to our favourite preachers from our retreat centre through its TV channel . It assuaged our regret of not being able to attend our annual retreat to a certain degree. Internet opened up new opportunities – to attend prayers and masses from any part of the world. I must confess, it was the year of best Lenten experience for us . I remember participating in Vatican rosary , conducted at various pilgrim centres , known for Marian apparitions. It was so refreshing to know that Mother Mary had appeared to the humblest , in all parts of the globe !

Then in March 2021 , India was struck badly by the second wave of Covid . Our hospitals were flooded with patients; The cemeteries were struggling to accommodate the dead.Ambulances rushed past our street at an alarming frequency . My son’s anxious eyes followed every ambulance from the window ; prayers from his frightened soul accompanied every patient in those ambulances.

I wondered if we were heading quickly to Doomsday or the end of life as we knew it .. A question seemed to haunt many, those days – Were we destined to stay indoors till the second coming ?

I wait for the Lord , my soul waits ;

and in his word , I hope ;

My soul waits for the Lord

more than those who watch for the morning ,

More than those who watch for the morning.

Psalm 130:5&6

But you , O Bethlehem of Ephrathah ,

Who are one of the little clans of Judah

From you shall come forth for me

One who is to rule in Israel ,

Whose origin is from of old , from ancient days .

Micah 5:2

The most awaited time of the year is here! Christmas season! A few more days and the whole world will be rejoicing at the birth of our saviour!

Jesus came down to live amidst us during a restless period in the history of Israel . She was under Roman occupation . The Roman emperor had ordered a census which required everyone to travel to their own towns . Apparently no one was exempted ; Mary, though nearing her time , had to travel to Bethlehem in Judea .

A journey , which by no means , was easy . One can imagine her on the back of a donkey , with Joseph , at midnight looking desperately for a place to lay their weary heads . Driven away from every door they knocked , they find refuge in a stable .. Here Jesus , the king of kings is born , in a humble manger .

The shepherds on the hillock keeping watch over their flock are the privileged ones, the chosen ones to hear the Good news first . Their pure , unadulterated minds receive it with boundless joy ! Without any tinge of doubt , they make their way to Bethlehem hastily, to worship the Lord . The three wisemen too arrive , guided by a star . In contrast , they had come to know of the birth of their saviour through their relentless studies ..through the judicious use of their intellect.

But Herod , the king of the temporal world sees a threat in the good news . Frightened by the birth of the King of kings , he chooses violence to protect his interests .

Man has travelled many centuries after that pivotal day in history. Our observance of Christmas has also undergone a sea change .

For the corporate world, Christmas time is a busy time .. they try their best to out do each other in announcing sales , trying to lure in as many customers as they can . St Nicholas will be appalled to see his other self , Santa Claus usurping the throne of Jesus .. Christmas now seems to be centred around Santa and his gifts .. Santa , who has metamorphosed into a marketing tool. No more sliding through the chimney . We often see him in malls , waiting for children who would have to buy a coupon to talk to him !

We grumble about not getting hotel reservations or air tickets during this peak holiday season. Somewhere in the midst of the hectic preparations, the true message of Christmas is forgotten .

But we do have shepherds and wisemen among our midst – persons who have found Jesus in their hearts and those who found him through the application of their wisdom and knowledge .

Fortunately there are still pockets in this world where the joy of Christmas is shared among the homeless and the down trodden .

But the Herods of this world are still afraid of the message of our saviour. They intimidate those who try to spread the good news .

As I dwell upon Christmas past and present, my son calls me to his side ..

He is not worried about the predicament of this world .. He just wants “to sleep in heavenly peace!”

“Peace that surpasses all human understanding’- That what I long for ,too !

Glory to God in the highest heaven ,

And on earth peace among those whom he favours !

2:14

Wishing everyone divine peace this Christmas!