The Unforgettable Beach Picnic

The sun blazes brightly onto the shimmering emerald water, the rays dancing in the sea. Compared to other beaches, this beach was an isolated yet beautiful place. It was quiet, except for the constant lapping of the waves against the shoreline. The palm trees rustled in the wind, providing a much appreciated shade against the merciless and unforgiving sun.

Two families are at this beach one Saturday. It was a beautiful day in spite of the heat and the incident that would change their lives forever. Together both the families were just eight people. Two sets of parents, and two girls aged ten and twelve, and two boys aged thirteen and sixteen. 

Each person was enjoying themselves. The men were playing a game of volleyball. The girls were collecting seashells to decorate their sandcastles, and the moms were relaxing on their foldable chairs. The group was having a great time. Two hours passed and they decided it was time for lunch. 

As the moms unwrapped the picnic lunches, the children got to work spreading the picnic mats on the sand. The moms tutted and the girls tittered and crabs scuttled sideways everywhere. Soon the air was filled with the smell of bacon sandwiches, sausages, lemonade, and the salty sea air surrounded the group. There was joyful and relaxed chatter all around the families. 

After lunch the sun had reached its highest and the heat began to get unbearable. The children got restless and so the families decided to take a dip in the cool sea water. The water had excited everyone, especially the husbands, who wanted to go deeper and jump on the waves. Within seconds, everyone was in the water, splashing, dunking one another, and pretending to be stung by a stingray.

Within half an hour of being in the water, the moms were tired and they said they would like to go rest a while. But the rest stayed. All of a sudden, one of the moms noticed something unusual yet unmistakable. She blinked twice, then rubbed her eyes. Then she screamed. For heading in her family's direction was a silver-grey fin. And it was moving fast. By now the other mom had seen it too. 

“SHARK!!! SHARK! SWIM!” They kept screaming. The children saw it first and began swimming towards the shore. The husbands too, had sensed danger, and began swimming towards the shore. Everyone had almost made it except the 16-year-old boy who was nowhere to be seen - “Alex!! Alex” his mom sobbed as she fell to the floor, a pleading tone in her voice. Suddenly one of the girls pointed. She could barely speak. “Look” she whispered. The grey fin was still there, but the water around it turned red. 

Tracking the Impact of Covid 19 Virus-Celeste Neriah Meyn

(Prepared by Celeste Neriah Meyn for her school newsletter)

Corona virus is a global pandemic that originated in China, spreading quickly across the globe. It started in December 2019. Today, China may have contained the virus but the rest of the countries are struggling to do just that. This virus is a respiratory disease that has taken millions of lives. This may be one of the largest pandemics the world has experienced. Many countries have been on lockdown for months now as ordered by the government. The stories of doctors and nurses who are experiencing this are heartbreaking. This newsletter is an informative one that will keep you informed of the world’s happenings.

Spread facts, not fear.

MYTHBUSTER OF THE WEEK:

 MYTH: Hand Dryers are effective in killing COVID-19

 FACT: To protect yourself against COVID-19, frequently wash your hand with soap and water.

Image Credits

How has this pandemic influenced us as humans: Good/Bad?

Today, many people across the globe and inside their houses are unable to come out for the fear of catching the deadly virus. Migrants are in a foreign country, away from family, friends and loved ones. Students are unable to take their exams or even go back to school. Many people who earn their living by working at their offices are now working from home while others have lost their jobs and are barely surviving. Others are battling it out between life and death on a hospital bed. Doctors and nurses can’t go back to their homes in case they spread the virus to their families. While other families are sitting at home, they are safe but they don’t understand it. Families are getting more time to spend with one another but do they know the value of that?

A lockdown poem

By: Hannah Meyn

I don’t think quarantine is so bad

Though it most certainly drives some people mad

We are giving the earth time to heal

And paying attention to how it feels

Now the roads start getting cleaner

And the earth starts getting greener

It simply isn’t fair to say

That the lockdown came and ruined my day.

My Thoughts

My name is Celeste. I study at Bangalore International School. I am safe inside my home today. I am grateful for the time that I get to spend with my family. I am grateful for my home so I can go upstairs and downstairs and not get bored. I have two sisters for company, a whole lot of books to read, board games to play and a TV to keep me entertained. I am able to walk into my garden and enjoy my plants as well as watch the birds and the skies from my terrace. Students just like me, around the world have the privilege of continuing our education online thanks to our teachers who are making every effort to make sure we don’t miss out on our learning.

I am grateful that my family and I, our loved ones, friends and those we cherish are safe.

I still remember that 20^th March, it was a Friday. All my teachers, classmates and I went home at the end of the day thinking that we would meet each other again on Monday. Nobody knew what was going to happen. I am pretty sure nobody in my class had anticipated this lockdown. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the situation could have gotten so bad. It breaks my heart to think that doctors are not able to fully do what they were supposed to do. Save lives. Not choose who has to live and who has to die. Today, doctors all around the world are struggling with these decisions. And it is for no fault of their own. Hospitals have run out of ventilators, beds, and medication. It’s gruesome to even think about it.

Migrant workers are stranded at the borders of one state or another. They are barely making it through the day even dying of starvation or exhaustion. Food distribution workers are doing the best that they can do in the given situation. These migrants have all the right to complain. But are they doing that? Is anybody seeing what is going on?

I feel bad knowing that there is nothing I can do about this. People who are “stuck” inside their homes have absolutely no right to complain. They do not know how blessed they are to just be home with family or at least knowing they are safe inside their homes.  I understand humans are people who cannot be contained in four walls. I did not think we would reach this stage. Where exactly are we stuck in four walls? Not that I have any right to complain myself.

Who would have thought that an invisible bacterium can threaten the very existence of man? But then again I am confident that we, humans, will overcome this. That’s my sincere, heartfelt prayer. 

(all images used from Pixabay.com) 

Fingerprint Autobiographical poetry writing-Celeste Meyn

It's a blessing when your kids know WHO THEY ARE! 

My prayer for my firstborn, as is for all my daughters is that they would know that they are not of this world. 

They definitely are out-of-this-world, but are here on this Earth for a specific purpose, which only they can fulfill. 

My Doll-Celeste Neriah Meyn

May they know Christ personally, be absolutely consumed by His love and His grace and release the same to the world around them. 

May they know their destiny through Christ and may they achieve more than they can ever dream of. 

May they exude the beautiful fragrance of the Most High as they conduct themselves as the salt and the light of the world. 

May they live their lives wholeheartedly for Christ and His Kingdom even as they learn to testify as Christ Jesus did, "I know where I came from and where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one." John 8

May they be firmly established in their IDENTITY IN CHRIST! 🖤💝