(Eight years ago I posted a true story about a turtle, written by Barbara Brown Taylor. It’s from her book Learning to Walk in the Dark. Here is that story again with a few minor changes. I still believe this story is very fitting for what we celebrate in our rituals during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday.)
A few years back, Barbara Brown Taylor, an American Episcopal priest and theologian, and her husband were exploring the dunes on Cumberland Island off the coast of southern Georgia. Her husband was looking for fossilized shark teeth. She was looking for sand spurs so she wouldn’t step on one. This meant both were looking at their feet when suddenly they came upon a huge loggerhead turtle. She was alive–but barely. Her shell was almost too hot to touch. Immediately they knew what had happened.
During the night the turtle had come ashore to lay her eggs. When she finished her task, she looked around for the brightest horizon to lead her back to the sea. But she had mistaken the lights on the mainland for the sky reflected on the ocean, and she had gone the wrong way. Now her flippers were buried in the sand and she was stuck, half baked in the noonday sun. (Adult loggerhead turtles weigh between 200 and 300 pounds.)
Immediately the couple took action. Taylor began to bury the turtle in cool sand while her husband ran to the nearest ranger station. She writes, “An hour later the turtle was on her back with tire chains around her front legs, being dragged behind a park service Jeep back toward the ocean.” The poor turtle’s mouth was filled with sand and her head was so bent, Taylor feared her neck would break. But it didn’t. When they got to the edge of the water, the three undid the chains, gently flipped the turtle right side up, and “watched as she lay motionless in the surf.”
But gradually the waves began to bring her back to life. After a little while as the waves lifted her up, she pushed off with her back legs, and swam back “into the water that was her home.” Taylor concludes: “Watching her swim slowly away after a nightmare ride through the dunes, I noted that it is sometimes hard to tell whether you are being killed or saved by the hands that turn your life upside down.”
Some thoughts about this story… The paradoxes: in laying her eggs to bring new life into the world, the turtle almost loses her own life… in order to be saved, the turtle has to undergo a horrific journey that almost takes her life…
The story makes me reflect on people who have undergone nightmarish journeys of their own: refugees fleeing their war torn country with only the clothes they are wearing… cancer patients undergoing harsh painful treatments for weeks or months at a time… for all who face serious surgeries of all kinds… for ordinary people suffering major setbacks in their lives or grave financial insecurity… for people losing a loved one, someone they can’t imagine living without. During times like these, did they wonder: am I being killed or saved?
And what about Jesus? Wasn’t his life turned upside down in Gethsemane? Why did he have to die such an awful death? Why the beatings, torture, nailing to a cross, hanging for hours in the hot sun? And where was Abba during all of this? And what about all those individuals enduring their own passions at this time? I beg God to move the hearts of good, generous, and courageous individuals who notice them and are moved to compassion to bring them aid and provide comfort… and I ask God to move my own heart this Lent to reach out to someone in specific need–whether through direct service, a donation, a call or letter to my congressmen, joining a peaceful demonstration, or fasting for and holding this intention in my daily prayer.
And I pray for a greater realization of the Resurrection in our own lives… those glimpses we get of the love and beauty and goodness in our daily lives… those sights and sounds that give us hope and encouragement as we make our journey back to our true home, the open sea of God’s mercy and love…
For reflection:
Have you ever witnessed new life emerging from apparently death-like circumstances?
Or have you ever seen or experienced goodness being born from apparent evil?
What gives your courage to go on when your life is being turned upside down?
If you attend any of the Holy Week services, what is your favorite part of these rituals… and why?
Reflect on one of the pictures in today’s reflection… Allow it to draw you into prayer…
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Announcement
I just saw that my retreat scheduled for July 13-20 at the Shrine of our Lady of Snows in Belleville, IL has been “sold out.” I hope a few of you, my readers, will be there. If you have any questions about this retreat, go to their website: https://snows.org
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Our video for this Holy Week is “Out of Darkness,” written by Tom Kendzia and sung here by the Sunday 7 pm Choir. This song was especially written for the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday evening. It is a song of hope: the light of Christ WILL shine,” it says. We don’t yet experience the fullness of the Resurrection, but may we see glimmers of its presence in the darkness of today. May we contribute to Christ’s light by shining our single candle to help illuminate our own little corner of this world.
I welcome your comments below…as I wish you a blessed Holy Week…
36 Responses
Thank you for this very moving story,as we prepare for Holy Week.
It is reassuring to know God is always with us. And when our life is turned upside down, maybe its actually being turned right side up.
I hope you and all have a blessed Holy Week
Maureen, Your words are strong and true: “And when our life is turned upside down, maybe it’s actually being turned right side up.” It recalls Mary’s prayer, the “Magnificat.” How this child she has conceived will turn the world “upside down.” Current events have probably shaken us up quite a bit–and that’s not always a bad thing. Thanks for writing, Maureen! Melannie
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
In 1963, when I was just six, my mother died of lung cancer. I was the youngest of five. To say my life was turned upside down would be an understatement. I lived in a big house with my grandmother, my aunt (my mother’s sister), my brothers and sisters, and a deeply grieving father. In those days, nobody got counseling; you just tried to work it out on your own.
Upon reflection, my way of “working it out” — not knowing this at the time, of course — was through sports. Hours of street hockey, throwing the football, throwing the baseball. All forms of therapy, I guess.
I was about eight or nine, when I finally figured out my Ma wasn’t coming back, and that’s when the crying jags and anger emerged. My life was a mess. When I was twelve, my father remarried. My new mother thought the Milton house too big, and so we moved to a more rural town. I was devastated. I was losing my friends.
I eventually adjusted. Made new friends through sports. And met the woman who would eventually become my wife and mother of our three beautiful children. Yes, losing my mother at such a young age was a tragedy. I was buried in sand. But was somehow pushed back into the ocean. I swam again and found love.
John thank you for sharing this. Yes, tragic but beautiful life story. I appreciate your comments each week. Have a blessed Easter.
Thank you, Kathy. Same to you!
John, I was very touched by your story. I can’t imagine losing a mother at such a young age. And now as an adult, you can appreciate your “deeply grieving father”… I’m glad you found some “therapy” in sports… and later how the “crying jags and anger emerged.” And how difficult that was, losing your friends at age 12. But you eventually “adjusted” and found “new friends through sports.” And best of all, in this new place you eventually found Kerry. Despite your profound loss, in time you “swam again and found love.” I love those words… Thank God you were open to new love when “she” appeared in your life… Thanks so much for your words.” Melannie
Dear Sister Melannie and John, Both of you have provided quite a start to my Monday, John, I am so sorry for all that you suffered in your young life, and I am grateful that you have been flipped so beautifully by love. The crying jag you mentioned happened to me during this blog, Sister Melannie, when I read the phrase “people losing a loved one, someone they can’t imagine living without.” My husband who went home to God a yr. ago this month. Faith is the anchor that keeps us from drifting or getting stuck in the sand. Every part of the Holy Saturday liturgy has great meaning for me. Prayers for you two and all of your Sunflower Seeds readers.
Susan, Your words describing John, made me smile: “you have been flipped so beautifully by love.” How well expressed! And then your own loss–only one year “old.”… still so new and fresh… little wonder a “cyring jag” could come upon you today…My deep sympathy to you, Susan… For me too, every day, every liturgy this week, touches something deep inside of me… I bring my personal wounds to every liturgical rite as well as the wounds of our local community, our country, and our entire glocal community… How much we need a Savior… Thank you for your comment… Melannie
Thank you Sister Melannie for that beautiful story. As my elderly parents have declined, it has been painful to watch their slow death. Mom passed in 2024 but Dad is still with us and cared for in a demetia unit. These trials have brought my brother and me closer together through the years. I have discovered a real in tenderness in him.
Kathleen, Yes it is hard to watch our parents as they decline physically and sometimes mentally. We know how much we owe them for their love and care for us. But you highlight just one positive consequence that can happen as we care for an elderly parent: we can appreciare our siblings even more. I know I treasure the 2 1/2 years my brother John and I were the primary caregivers for my Mom. We leaned on each other during that difficult time… I appreciate your words… Melannie
We are never forced into heroic deeds. Just living the Gospel message. “ Love God and your neighbor.”
Dolly, Loving God and loving our neighbor can be the test of true heroism… Thank you for your words! Melannie
Good morning, Sister and others readers of this blog.
In painful events and times, the only way I have found strength is in turning to the Lord and crying out my pain.
I search for good in bad. I can’t always find it so I pray for those involved.
A heavy but fitting topic to start the week. In the stillness of waiting for the unfolding tragedy of our Lord’s death, we have the resurrection to find the good in the bad.
Thank you Sister for bringing hope this week.
Celeste, Turning to the Lord… crying out in our pain… searching for the good every day… and remembering that in Jesus’ own agony, lies our hope for resurrection and new life. Amen! Melannie
Along the Atlantic coast residents have formed “turtle patrol “ units comprised of volunteers who patrol their section in early morning for signs on the sand . The mother leaves a path to her spot to lay her eggs. Then a stake and a wooden sign
By the nest , with the date it was made marks the nest.for monitoring!
Homes abutting the beach shade their waterfront windows so lights can’t confuse the turtles at night to go the wrong way.
Knowing approx. time the eggs will hatch , the volunteers inspect nests and even start a dig to help the process to assist the youngins make it to the water!
It is amazing to watch the dig and participate in the long line of feet guiding then straight to the water!
Marilyn
Marilyn, What a detailed description of these “turtle patrols” along the Atlantic coast! What a beautiful gesture of love and care for God’s creatures. Thank you for sharing these facts with us, Marilyn! Your words underscore the kindness of these people! Melannie
Why is God doing this to me or my loved one?
The examples of loved ones that passed too soon or suffer too long ring home to me as well.
What is sticking with me about the the misguided turtle are all the false lights of life that take us or our loved ones off course, away from the Light of Christ. Such detours or destinations make me yearn and pray for the Brown Taylors to find us and our loved ones to turn us over and pull us to the true Light of Life.
Barry, Thank you for focusing in on the necessaity of following the “true lights of life.” And how others can find us when we’re going the “wrong way” or we’re trapped in the sand–and help lead us back to our true home, that sea of God’s mercy and love. Thank you for your words, Barry! Melannie
Such moving stories of life, loss and rescue this morning. I’m so fascinated by the life process of the turtles. A great reminder of God’s guidance and love throughout our lives too.
Every liturgy of Holy Week is sacred and moving to me, the gifts of Holy Thursday of the Eucharist, Christ’s washing the feet of his disciples and his agony in the garden; the gospel reading recounting our Lord’s suffering and the adoration of the cross on Good Friday; the Old and New Testament readings of Holy Saturday with the triumphant March into Mass with singing of the Gloria…all the sadness and triumph are quite moving and profound. Wishing you all a glorious Easter celebrating God’s love and promise of life everlasting.
Loretta, You recount some of the most moving aspects of our liturgical services this week. The washing of the feet in a typical parish always moves me… as does the veneration of the cross on Good Friday. I like to gaze upon the variety of people–men, women, and even children–processing up to bow or show their respect for the cross, and uniting their own sufferings and the sufferings of their loved ones with those of Jesus… and the Easter Vigil on Saturday is esecially meaningful when there are new members to welcome into our beloved church community. Amen to your words, Loretta! Melannie
My favorite ritual – in our parish on Good Friday, we do not kiss or touch the cross in reverence as most parishes do. Instead a cross about 5 feet tall is passed hand to hand over our heads so everyone touches it as it passes overhead in each pew(our church seats 1,000 so it’s quite the undertaking). It’s an amazing tradition that we’d never seen/done before. It literally brings me to tears every year.
Patt, This sounds beautiful. One parish I attended in Detroit had 3 life-size crosses. For the veneration, 2 people placed the cross gently on the shoulder of each person for a silent moment. I was touched when an elderly person–someone diminished by age–stood for a moment with that cross partially touching their shoulder… There’s all kinds of ways to venerate the cross of Jesus and the crosses we ourselves are bearing at this time… Yes, tears sometime come… Melannie
That’s an amazing ritual, Patt. In my parish, we kiss Jesus on the cross. I love the intimacy of it.
Although I don’t go to the vigil every year (it’s so long), I plan to attend this year because I know several people who are coming into the church and I want to witness this momentous life-changing and -giving experience for them. I also want to celebrate the Holy Saturday that I converted 40 years ago.
My favorite part is when we light our candles to dispel the darkness and the Holy Water splashes in the fonts.
Valorie, The lighting of the individual candles in the darkness of the church can be breathtaking… And witnessing an adult baptism by immersion is most powerful too! Congratulations on your anniversary this Saturday night, Valorie! Melannie
Thank you, dear Melannie, and all the good people who replied from their experience. As an old-timer, I think I know a few things about my faith. Just the other day, though, St. Matthew’s gospel for Palm Sunday cited the resurrection of many in Jerusalem during the days after Jesus’s crucifixion. I had forgotten that fact, and I wondered what it meant. Possibly a sign of God’s intention for the human race and more of God’s creatures at the “end” of time, in the sense that Jesus’s resurrection was not unique but symbolizes God’s concern and love for the totality of creatures at the same time as we humans understand it. (The kindom–the reign of God, neither male or female but family–of heaven is at hand, now.)
George, I am always amazed how scripture passages that I’ve read or heard a “million” times, can make me notice something I knew, but I paid little attention to. Scripture has a power to surprise us on any given day–as that detail in the Resurrection story did for you. I also appreciated your last sentence, explaining so simply and clearly why some people prefer the word “kin-dom” to the word “kingdom.” Thank you for another fine comment! Melannie
Have you ever witnessed new life emerging from apparently death-like circumstances?
Watching Fr. Joseph walk on his own again. Fr. Joseph is 101.
Or have you ever seen or experienced goodness being born from apparent evil?
All the time! It is the story of our lives.
What gives your courage to go on when your life is being turned upside down?
There really is no other choice. The alternative to stop has no attraction whatsoever.
If you attend any of the Holy Week services, what is your favorite part of these rituals… and why? Good Friday kissing of the foot of the cross because it is the realest moment of all.
Reflect on one of the pictures in today’s reflection… Allow it to draw you into prayer…
The ocean drew me in. The bright blue ocean 🙂
Brandon, Thank you for taking the time to share your answers to the questions for reflection. I really enjoyed them all–but especially the first one and the last two. Your words are lovely and poetic: “kissing the foot of the cross because it is the realist moment of all… The ocean drew me in. The bright blue ocean.” I can say, “Your answers drew me in…” Melannie
I love your blog Melanie, thank you.
May I send you a poem that I wrote about staying with Mary after Jesus died?
How can I do that?
Blessings,
Yolande
Yolande, I’d be happy to receive a copy of your poem about Mary. Please send me a copy at this mailing address: Melannie Svoboda, SND, Sisters of Notre Dame, 13000 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH 44024. OR you can go to the top of this page, click on “contact.” Just fill in your name and email address, then skip down to the message. You can put the poem there or provide a link for me. Thank you! Melannie
Thank you Melanie. I have sent it.
Easter Blessings,
Yolande Trainor
I received it, Yolande! Thank you! Melannie
Wonderful Easter story.
Rebecca, I’m happy you found it worthwhile… Melannie
Here is a poem that wrote: “It’s lovely to be nice, but it’s nicer to love” by Bernie Colasurdo
Your poem made me smile 😊