We Have Seasons In The Sun
Recently I conducted the funeral service of a 33-year old man from western Colorado. I was interested in the fact that he once attended the University of Oregon at Eugene. I, having lived in the Pacific northwest for nine years myself, and having friends in Eugene, was curious as to why he left that very beautiful part of the country. Upon asking, his brother told me that he left because he didn't like the darkness. Then I remembered - yes, it was dark out there! The rainfall where I lived was 120 inches a year.
Darkness does tend to come down heavy on the human spirit. Because of the darkness, the suicide rate is higher in the Pacific northwest. Even here in the northeast, people tend to get what we call "cabin fever" in the long, dark winters. In the darkness of winter, my counseling load is always much heavier; then, come spring, people tend to fell much better.
There is actually a diagnosis called seasonal depression. Though some seasonal depression is thought to be caused by stress, loneliness or memories involving the holidays (or a letdown afterward), research increasingly shows that a lack of sunlight is a contributing factor for many people. It seems that our incandescent home lighting is missing many of the natural rays of the sun. Susan, a friend of mine, remedies this by sitting under a special lamp for a period of time each evening. She claims to get through the winter just fine with her lamp.
Take advantage of every sunny winter day. On a recent mid-January morning Gloria (Mrs. Marple) and I headed for Forksvlle over Route 154 from Canton. Ice covered every hardwood twig and tree trunk, while snow flocked every conifer. It was one of the most beautiful mornings of our lives. Route 154 had turned into a glistening crystal tunnel. As we headed down the mountain into Lincoln Falls the winter light splashed from ridge to ridge, ricocheted off frozen creek banks, fell into the water and floated downstream in a kaleidoscope of ripples. No wonder Jesus said, "I have come as light." (John 12:46.)