Who's Afraid of the Dark?

A nice June Night on Lake Lottawana in Missouri.

As a teenager, I was never afraid to be out after dark in a field or taking a walk. About the only thing that spooked me a little, was the thought of meeting up with cattle-mutilators. It is funny how sagebrush can take on shapes of humans when there is very little moonlight!

My older brothers used to play a game similar to hide and seek, called "There's No Scarecrows Out Tonight". It involved; one "scarecrow" waiting behind a tree or around a corner to "pounce" upon a few singing kids. Whoever they caught, became the next "scarecrow". Pretty simple and scarily fun at the same time.

My sister Bev was afraid of the dark. She would push at me as we went down the outside stairs to get to our bedrooms. I guess she thought if there was anything lurking in the darkness, it would get me first. I think that she lost her fear of the dark out of necessity after high school when her cats would perch themselves in trees and refuse to come down.

The absence of light should be included in the several interpretations of "darkness". This can be a spiritual, mental or physical condition. Those moonless nights are mild compared to the darkness of someone's soul who wishes to to us harm.

Deep depression can be as dark as a cave when you begin to feel as though you will never find your way out. If you have every toured a cave and they have turned out the lights, it is one of the most eerie and terrifying experiences. Because of the absolute blackness, you are unable to see your hand in front of your face.

Having experienced darkness on all levels; I can say quite honestly, that I would rather experience being in a dark room than having a bout of depression or being near someone who has a darkness of soul.

Some of us are fortunate to possess a remedy for these types of darkness. Our courage may come from a type of spiritual strength or a handy supply of batteries and flashlights. If you suffer from chronic depression, medications are available and therapies.

I will say, that even in my darkest hour, I always managed to see that little light of direction flickering in the distance. Simply putting one foot in front of the other has helped me exit that dark cave of depression.

In today's world, the sun gives us enough natural light most days to weather life's storms. You can even go further and change the spelling of the Sun to Son if you wish.

For all the darkness in the world, we are blessed with many Forms of Light. It can be as simple as a light switch or as complicated as finding your way to the cave's entrance with only the faintest flickering of sunlight to guide your way.

There are "boogie men" out there in the world who try to steal our sense of peace either by the written and or spoken word.

The brightness of hope never fails to appear after the tumult of life's darkest storm. It may only be a ragged flag held by a determined soldier returning from battle or the dawn of a new day complete with the orange ball of the sun peeking through the clouds.

"I Am There For You." Five of the sweetest words that you will ever hear from your friends or family or even perfect strangers. Life is complicated, but if you know where to look, there is an endless supply of flashlights and batteries to keep you from total darkness.