We should erase so I could light

The day of the blackout was like a return to the pandemic. With the advantage of being disconnected from electricity and the internet.

In the middle of the morning we were surprised by the lack of energy and we were ‘dark’ of what would be going through. Some more frightened than others, we left almost everyone at work when we realized that the situation would not be resolved in a few hours. Some went to get their children from the schools that were without water, others went home or to the street, but in general, the afternoon was of freedom, meeting and union. No work, housework or social networks.

There were neighbors who approached, who offered help, lived and, for those who were not alone, the best part came when mobile networks stopped working and were forced to ask questions and look for answers in others. Many joined parks, terraces, on the street or at home. The families, neighbors, friends and acquaintances joined, talked and found solutions to make dinner and enjoy the hot and soap opera.

We returned to the radio the batteries and the Campingaz. Children and young people played the ball back on the street, walking in groups on foot, joined the terraces without televisions or mobile phones, ‘just’ with each other, sharing conversations from beginning to end, without interruption or warning of unnecessary messages. The country went out, but we light. We reunited us again in a common expectation and objective, to be with each other, to think and omit opinions about what would be going through, about life, what was to say so long, to make a joint detox for the excess of stimuli and alienation in which we have let us blur. The afternoon was long, the time was taking back again. Dinner was made in the light of sunset or candles, we watched the dark cloak covering the earth and our homes, saw the stars and rediscover how the essential is the simplest things. We found that nights do not need electricity to be hot and luminous.

Of course, not everyone reacted the same way and there were also moments of greater anxiety or concern. Especially on the part of those who needed immediate care, those who were trapped in transport, in chaotic traffic, elevators or alone on a high floor without information that was going on. Or also from those who ran to supermarkets or gasolineiras expecting something worse. But, as my friend Biologist Ana Luísa would say, diversity is one of the most important concepts for the survival of the species.

I would say that our survival as complete beings also depends on this open and whole meeting with others and with ourselves. We can really feel alone or accompanied.

Thank you blackout, for this opportunity to meet again. With us and with the others. With the world and with nature. With the time that has been slower. Our full survival depends on it. We should walk less distracted, let ourselves go out to the accessory and turn on to the essentials more often. Do not allow our time to fly and drain to the speed of electricity.