Groundhog Day

Today is the day they drag a sleepy rodent from his den and engage him in conversation about his perceptions of future weather patterns. Did he or didn't he? If he sees his shadow, winter's icy blast will last for six more weeks. If he sees no shadow, spring will arrive early.

Here's the official report from "Phil":

"As I look around me, a bright sky I see, and a shadow beside me. Six more weeks of winter it will be!"

Of course, all of this is just a way to put Punxsutawney, PA on the map and find another holiday for the bleak months of cold in the north.

I have several problems with this whole scenario:

• Is it ethical to harass a large rodent?
• Can a groundhog really see his shadow on even the sunniest of days?
• How does a groundhog communicate his findings?
• Just how do we quantify an "early spring"?
• What scientifically valid correlation is there between a sunny/cloudy day and the weather trends for the following six weeks?
• Why is February 2nd the only day on which this meteorological discovery can be made?
• What made Phil Connors so grumpy?

Frankly, I think it would be much simpler to have a human being do this. I, for instance, could, with my present girth, cast a shadow at night during a lunar eclipse.

I suppose the whole spectacle is important to Phil (the groundhog) because he discovers on that one day each year he has worth. He is substantive enough to cast a shadow. And that shadow has the attention of the world. . . well, at least the United States. . . okay, at least all of Pennsylvania. . . or at least people in Punxsutawney.

A shadow is the symptom of our existence and presence. It indicates that light will not pass through us (a post-worthy topic in itself) because we are. We exist. We leave a mark. We have impact.

This makes me ponder the shadows cast by my existence. People will never gather at Gobbler's Knob to discern my shadow-casting ability, but God observes all, and those along the Jericho Road of my life will either experience my compassion and humility, or not. My shadow becomes the proof of my genuine presence in a world in which so much is transparent and without substance. Unlike the Pennsylvania prognosticator, the lack of my shadow means that winter will last for a long time.