It is six a.m.  The furnace is turned down low.  A gust of icy wind rattles the bedroom window.  Neither of us wants to be the first one to crawl out, slip down the hall and turn up the thermostat.  We are quite comfortable, even toasty under our winter quilts.  We procrastinate, each trying to outwait the other while we stretch out the peace and comfort of these last precious minutes between sleep and morning. 

In a sudden burst of inspiration we think:  Why crawl out at all?  Hibernation!  That is the answer to these cold, grey days between Epiphany and Easter.  Think of it.  The frantic feasting of the holidays is over.  We will be like great grizzly bears and let all of our extra pounds gradually melt away while we sleep.  No effort required!  The longer we think about hibernation, the more sense it makes.  No more driving through ice and snow for us.  Not cooking or driving means we will save big bucks on food and gas.  Finally, think of the religious symbolism if, as one, all of us arise from our beds refreshed and trim just in time for the Easter celebration.

While hibernation will remain nothing more than a winter morning fantasy, the human need to withdraw and replenish is real.  This is not an easy time of year for many of us.  In the last few years dozens of articles have been written about seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.  Attributed to a lack of sunlight, this is a mood disorder common during the winter months.  One suggested remedy is to spend time in a sunnier climate during the short winter days up north.  Another less costly remedy is to sit under special lamps designed to provide light rays to counter SAD.  However, these lamps can be pricey.  One expert stated that common grow lights used for growing plants indoors will work just as well.  Isn’t it interesting that a light designed to grow plants might lighten our human moods?  Somehow, absorbing light banishes the grey in our hearts and minds while absorbing the Light banishes the darkness in our souls.