The month of January can be tough in the best of times. The holidays are over and the decorations are put away. While it is sometimes a relief to clean up and return to uncluttered spaces, I never enjoy the seemingly endless cloudy winter days. Even without an actual diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder, the gray days can bring most folks down. Of course, these are not the best of times. We’re all living in the unprecedented times of a global pandemic, and many of the usual remedies to the January blahs are not available to us.
Some days, I try to find comfort in routine. I enjoy making myself a latte every morning. While I savor the delicate, warm, foamy goodness, I read the New York Times daily news brief. Lately, I’ve found myself skimming the top stories, since they don’t change much from day to day: the virus and its fallout dominate the headlines and our lives. Many of the stories under the banner of ‘Other News’ would warrant top billing at any other time: tornadoes, international scandals, and violence.
But this week, an unusually click-bait style headline caught my attention, as intended. “The last known female Swinhoe’s softshell turtle died in 2019 - or so scientists thought.” I took the bait, and I was delighted and captivated. Just in case you missed the story, I’ll give you a quick recap. Scientists in Vietnam who have been studying this endangered species for decades were devastated when the last known female Swinhoe’s softshell turtle died last year, leaving one male in captivity, and one turtle of unverified species and gender in the wild. Using environmental DNA technology, they’ve determined the turtle is a female Swinhoe’s softshell turtle! Their exhaustive study and field surveys have turned up a few more turtles in the wild that are likely to be Swinhoe’s as well.
The presence or absence of this species of turtle is not likely to change my life or anybody else’s in any measurable way. They aren’t the source of a life-saving medicine or the missing link to evolutionary theory. Yet, the existence of a couple of turtles has given scientists tremendous hope that they can save a species. I am gratified that there are people who will dedicate their lives to understanding and caring for our planet. Isn’t that what we need? A little bit of hope.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Where are you finding hope this January? What is a remedy that helps sustain you during these days of isolation? As you continue to search for a midwinter boost, the Spirit of God is close at hand, ready to surprise you with joy and good news. Please take care: if you find the blahs won’t go away and are affecting your everyday life, reach out for help. The weather forecast predicts some sunny days this week. Even if you don’t see the sun this week, I pray you find something that sparks joy for you.
Your sister in Christ,
Cara Hasselbeck