The Hand We Are Dealt. And What’s a Beaver Got to Do with It?
Two blogs in one for your pleasure in this edition. When playing a game of cards, a common saying is that you are stuck playing the cards you are dealt. The saying comes from card games where chance is the predominant factor and where even a brilliant mind cannot overcome a given poor hand. When the cards are shuffled well and dealt, there is no telling how good or bad one’s hand will be for a specific game. You must play the cards you are dealt.
In life, as in a game of cards, there is no telling what hand we are dealt. We have little control over when or where or to whom we are born. For many years in our early life, we have little control over our upbringing or surroundings. Without a question, because of evolutionary forces of nature and nurture, every one of us do what we can to reach our best potential within the confines of the hand we are dealt. This is not to say that we are not responsible for our actions as adults. But for years before we become adults, we are children simply playing the hand we are dealt.
What’s a beaver got to do with all this? One fine morning a note was left at a front door in a small town. The note asked about the beaver found in the yard behind: Is that your beaver? Finding the note, the resident sprung to action. Here’s her story: “Our yard is completely fenced in, but he had pushed under at one point. All morning he just stayed in the same spot. He would move his head and back foot now and then. I was afraid he was dying.” After researching and making multiple phone calls on what to do with a wild animal like a beaver, she continues: “I was so lucky to find a rehabilitator. The first two contacts suggested euthanasia and removal! Also, turns out he wouldn’t have survived if he was just relocated to water. He needed to grow up more, so he’s going to a rescue place for a year, then he’ll be released. Happy ending!”
Here is a link to a video of beaver rescue. The beaver is an adolescent — a mere two years old — who is curious and old enough to get in trouble but not mature enough to survive independently. Not unlike children. The beaver could have been hurt by road traffic getting to the yard. The resident may not have known or cared about what to do with a beaver. Worse, they could have euthanized the poor beaver! The hand he was dealt could have led him to anything but a happy ending. Perhaps, still not as happy as being reunited with his family but a lucky break, nonetheless.
Such is life. It is easy to judge less fortunate others without realizing the hand they were dealt, while ignoring our own lucky breaks. Those less fortunate don’t need our pity. All they need from us is a mere understanding, a mere acknowledgment of the hand they were dealt, and that will go a long way as we strive to make this a better world for all of us — people and animals. Happy caring and sharing!
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