There are some phases in life which are overwhelming, not necessarily because of the gravity of things happening around us, but the sheer number of things happening at the same time. It is during such moments that I perhaps react the least - not that I am suppressing my reactions, just that I am not reacting at all.

It's like standing in the naked desert and facing a sand-storm that is blowing your way. You know you can't run, or hide and you stand there waiting for it to hit. All you can do is crouch and hope that not too much sand chokes you or stings your eyes. You can hear it howling in your ears, numbing everything else around you, threatening to overcome your senses. And you crouch...

When the last of the storm passes, you stand, dust yourself and look around. The desert still looks much the same and the sky is clear once again. It's almost as though there was no storm at all! Did you imagine it then?

There are reminders sometimes though, that you didn't dream it up after all. The stray grain of sand in your hair can itch, or the one in your eye can tease out a tear drop or two.