Written by Kathleen PetersonOctober 4, 2018

Even the Dark is not Dark for You

After 2 glorious weeks in Jerusalem – sunny every day, not a single cloud in the sky, and temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s (my kind of weather) – we came home to clouds, rain, and temps in the low 60s.

I struggle with mild depression – SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which compounds the major life change of retirement and menopause (yes, I’m there). The change in temperature and season for those in the US was gradual over those 2 weeks we were in Jerusalem. But, for us it was literally overnight. I don’t mind being a ‘sweater, boots, and yummy soup’ kind of girl but I need to ease into it.

While in Jerusalem, we didn’t really plug into the US National news. We could have – many of the TV stations broadcast American shows – we were just too busy and tired at the end of the day. Truly, it was refreshing being ‘out of the loop’… even though it wasn’t intentional.

It’s difficult just returning from an amazing trip, entering back into ‘real life’, and dealing with jet-lag but I experienced a level of darkness I didn’t expect. And, on several levels.

Spiritual: As American Catholics, we are so privileged. We worry and debate things like language and music in the liturgy; we are angry that kids don’t attend religious ed regularly; we have youth ministers who secretly fight over which parish youth group is best; the list of pettiness goes on and on. And, I include myself in this evaluation; I’m not exempt from any of it. We are self absorbed, and live in a bubble. I can tell you that, although the issue of child abuse is extremely serious and needs addressed globally, the issues which other Catholics around the world are dealing are life threatening and many cannot live their faith in the open. The trip we took helped to give me a new perspective on what is right and true and really worth fighting for.
Political: #Kavanaugh – I had actually forgotten about him and the political sickness that’s surrounding his confirmation hearings. Regardless of whether he did it or not, whether she is telling the truth or not, whether you’re a dem, rep, lib, or con – when did our country move from “innocent until proven guilty” to “guilty until proven innocent”… and destroying lives in the process. In my mind, this is not a political war; it’s a war on men and on our religious liberty.
Seasonal: Pumpkin Spice Lattes – no. A line must be drawn. Coffee should be hot and black. Thank you Millennials and Pinterest for ruining the simple things in life.

I’m sure people will wonder what I believe in, what I enjoy, and what I find good in the world especially since this post is a little negative.

Religion: I’m Catholic through and through. Want to know more? Read the Nicene Creed.

Politics: I’m a conservative but I don’t find my beliefs in any one party, expect maybe the American Solidarity Party but I’m not affiliated with them.

Food: I love bread but have a gluten allergy, I love creamy real gelato but have an allergy to dairy, I love cheese but… see previous, I love a good balanced Merlot and Long Island Iced Tea made well, and I love Chinese food but I get headaches from MSG. (I guess I’m a food whiner)

Hobbies: photography, writing, web design, creating videos, and travel

Misc: I love fall colors and unique shoes/boots. I miss my dog, Scooter. I have bags under my eyes that I can’t get rid of. I love to dance but my husband doesn’t. And, my favorite movie genre is horror.

Bucket List Travel: Greece and the surrounding islands, return to Rome, Seville during Holy Week, Egypt to see the Pyramids, a European river tour, and a train ride through the Alps.

Back to reality…

Although we all experience darkness in different ways – depression is only one of those – there is light, and it’s a person, Jesus Christ. No matter how dark your world becomes, He will always be the Light.