thoughts on the news of the day: seasons

hmmm…..

            An American engineer stationed on the South Pole has finally been airlifted to Christchurch, New Zealand after suffering a stroke last August.  Weather prohibited planes from flying into the area until now because of bad weather conditions.  In 1999 an Air Force plane flew to that same station to rescue Dr. Jerri Nielsen FitzGerald  who was treating her own breast cancer.  Dr. FitzGerald passed away in 2007 at the age of 57.

            I remember reading an interview with Dr. Fitzgerald in a news magazine.  She discussed her struggles to treat herself for the cancer; but she also talked about the challenges of living in a place where the conditions were always the same.  They had sunlight or darkness for months nonstop and the stress on the crew there was enormous.

            She said that they countered it with celebrations of holidays to mark the passing of time and of seasons.  For example, they dressed up in silly costumes for Halloween and made a big turkey dinner for Thanksgiving.  The base was somewhat of a family because they lived in such close confining quarters, so holidays seemed to break up the long periods of monotony.

            Marking time is important.  In our church’s tradition, we designate the different religious seasons and celebrate them with various services and traditions.  It gives us a sense of time passing and our lives having the continuity of celebrating the same holidays at the same time each year; and that brings joy.

            Celebrate the seasons!  The autumn colors, the kids out trick or treating for candy and the big feast at Thanksgiving; and be grateful for the opportunity to enjoy life and enjoy the change.

            hmmm…..