KARMIC CONSEQUENCES

I left my apartment at 6:50 P.M., on Wednesday evening as per usual for my evening walk. I slid open the moveable glass door, after sliding the metal grill to the right. Proceeded unto my verandah, repositioned the grill, locked it securely behind me, and slid the large glass door back into its closed position. Immediately thereafter, I turned to the left, descended the steps, turned to the right, and walked away from the building. Going through the large iron gates that shielded the property from outsiders and commenced my evening walk downwards. Although it was already dark the unrecognizable figure coming in my direction called to me, “Mr. Brunei, good evening, sir.” My response was “How are you doing?” He replied, “I thought you had already left for America.” I countered, “Don’t you listen to the news? The Delta Variant of Covid-19 is raging in the U.S.A. The health authorities are fighting to bring it under control. Many people are dying there. I’m safe here, sir.”

I continued on my journey descending the steep hill that led me through a narrow lane as I trudged along, passing several fine homes and many block and steel houses under varying stages of construction. Darkness enveloped the night like a black blanket. But there were bright lights glimmering both near and far. I had my flashlight with me and at times when there were no nearby lights illuminating my path. I had to switch it on to enable me to see clearly and prevent me from stumbling into one of the many ditches or mud-holes that littered my path. In the very same way the word of God guides us through life, helping us to avoid pitfalls and catastrophes. As we read in scripture, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105. (NKJV). I would pass mothers bathing their naked kids outside an unfinished house in a large aluminum bowl in the shadows. Or motorcyclists with one, two, or a family of passengers (no one was wearing a helmet). Ascending or descending the steep and treacherous incline that led into the valley, which I had to cross. In order to ascend the very steep hill that led into the village of Kato. I hadn’t taken this route for some time. But after the pain, I experienced in the muscles of my lower back, thighs, legs, and feet. For a period of two weeks after recommencing this routine. I subsequently concluded that I desperately needed this kind of exercise, regularly.

As you probably already know this time of the year is Ghana’s winter. There are frequent showers and very cold nights. I have had to move out of my current bedroom. This change I executed last night. Because regardless of the number of blankets that I use, it’s impossible for me to keep warm at night. Primarily because there are two large windows in the blue room. Not only are they not insulated. They were improperly installed. Insomuch, that there are gaping gaps between the outer window frames and the squared concrete openings in which they are lodged. I’ve now transferred to the pink room. Last night I was comfortable all through the night, with only one blanket. This evening I took a shower. My first such experience in ten months. Although the water was cold my lower back and calves seemed to be very grateful. Because the pain I was experiencing in them (presumably from the cold weather), stopped. Our water was locked off last year October. After The Town of Berekum started constructing concrete gutters/trenches. To provide runoff for the rainwater during inclement weather. They are far away from the completion date. But I suppose they’ve concluded that we’ve been sufficiently inconvenienced.

A prominent woman in the community died recently. I know because the property caretaker’s eldest daughter called on me to request that I put up three funeral guests from out of town. Since there was no running water in my apartment I had an excellent reason to tell her “No.” I’ve learned in life that being able to say “No,” at the appropriate time is a valuable skill to master. Especially with my neighbors. When I first moved here I discovered that large numbers of teenagers regularly congregated on my porch at night. Presumably, they were friends of the 18 year old young lady, who lives in the apartment on my left. I did my best not to bother them, even though they were noisy. Until one of them had the audacity to infuriate me by sliding open my glass door. Whereupon, I marched unto my verandah and ordered all of them not only to leave but also warned them never to return, again. When sitting in my hall I can see clearly, through the glass doors, everything that is transpiring on my porch. Although none of the people there can see anything in my living room. Although I did not attend the funeral. I was forced to be an unwilling participant in the program. Since the mourners hired a musical band to stage a show all night Friday and Saturday. I barely slept both nights since the extremely loud music reverberated to every house in this locality.

My neighbors are very interesting people. Since there was no clothes line on the property on which to hang my laundry, I requested permission to have one constructed. After obtaining the go ahead, I hired some carpenters, purchased the lumber they required. Which they used to build me a beautiful and sturdy clothes line. Within a couple of months my neighbors usurped it completely. Although there were four long lines extending from the crossbeams supported by the two posts. I couldn’t find any vacant line on which to hang my own wet clothes. This painful reality was continuous. Soon I resumed my original practice of hanging my freshly laundered clothes on racks. Extended from the security grills around the windows in my hall. I made no complaints, initiated no arguments, smiled and greeted my neighbors as per usual whenever I met them; and religiously gave candies to all the children on the estate. One hot and sunny afternoon, I came through the large iron gates, while returning from one of my trips to The Town of Berekum; and could hardly believe what my eyes beheld. The two stalwart posts supporting the clothes line had collapsed. That was the karmic consequence of my neighbors selfishness, blindness, emotional apathy and stupidity.

I bought credits for my electrical meter exactly three months ago, today. I paid 120.00 GHS (US$20.00), and up to now my meter is still going strong. Why? The bright bulb on my porch was blown out by the wind, and I never replaced it. My neighbors would come onto my verandah and turn that light on every single night, religiously. Without asking my permission. Now there is no bulb there, and the switch doesn’t even work anymore. None of my neighbors have volunteered to fix the switch or to even replace the bulb. Nor do I intend to pay to have the switch repaired or to replace the bulb at my own expense, under the present circumstances. The nonfunctional switch and the absence of that very bright light is saving me a lot of money. I’m presently having discussions with the landlord about the possibility of enclosing that porch with a metallic grill. To prevent the teenagers from next door from coming onto my porch to wrestle, play football, skate, dance, or engage in a multiplicity of annoying antics. Apparently, my neighbors need to be taught the important principle of boundaries. Because when they are ready they come onto my verandah and plug in their phones to be charged, without asking my permission. Or they come to iron different items of clothing without saying a word to me. Or they come to perm their hair. That’s how my electrical credits are dissipated. But I never complain; nor do I express any disapproval; just for a peaceful life. They would take over my verandah at night for studying or social gatherings. At my expense and inconvenience. All of that came to an abrupt ending when the bulb was blown out by the wind. There is a God; sitting on His throne; and He reigns in majesty and power.