Hurkle Durkle

This week I came across the term “Hurkle Durkle,” an old dialect word from southern Scotland dated to the 1800’s.  Perhaps you have “hurkle durkled,” lazed around in bed “long after it is time to get up or go to work.” 

There are multiple reasons why we might stay in bed when it is past rallying ourselves to make the effort to emerge from bed.  We are sick, or we have overextended and are unusually tired, or we have some task we are dreading to tackle.  But for some, the reason is depression.

From 2023 depression statistics as reported in Forbes Health, people who have an immediate family living with depression may have a two to three times greater risk for having depression.  About 21 million adults in the United States have had at least one depressive episode. More than one in 10 youth in the United States are living with depression that affects their school, home or work life.

  “I saw the world in black and white,” wrote Katie McGarry in “Pushing the Limits,” “instead of the vibrant coulours and shades I knew existed.”  This immediately called to mind  my own experience.  At a point in my life, I was immersed in depression.   My sleep was filled with dreams, always in gray.  I had a dramatic experience from which I emerged suddenly aware of color.  I couldn’t take my eyes off people in bright colors.  I was overcome with tears, so happy to be freed of the dark cloud that had surrounded me. 

While some of us are more prone to depression, none of us are immune. All the more important to both take good care of ourselves physically and mentally, and to be aware of those who are struggling, to be willing to offer a listening ear.

 May we be bearers of hope, the “wait staff” of Hope’s Café for each other and all those we encounter.  Shalom, Kate 

Hope’s Café Bonus:  Fortunately, I found a way emerge from my depression.  But too often depression results in suicide. Last year I became aware of Out of the Darkness, which is a fundraiser for suicide prevention.  I was deeply affected when I participated in a community walk in which the path was lined with pairs of shoes.  Each pair represented a person who had once worn them but whose life had ended in suicide.   High schools and colleges sponsor  campus walks.  There is also an overnight walk.  Overnight is a challenging endurance walk from dusk to dawn that rotates cities each year.

 I will be walking again September 17.  If you are interested, google Out of the Darkness for more information.