Dave had been excited when I said yes to a date to explore the skies. As an undergraduate scientist, astronomy was his hobby and passion. For me, however, stars were simply lights in the sky, an amateur’s misconception he planned to change. We had embarked upon our college journey at the same time from the same East Coast geographic area, leaning on the fact we had met one another at a college alumni gathering before arriving. Our friendship was quickly cemented and the simple truth was it was easy sharing each other’s company.
He flipped through the pages, settling on the proper chart.
"Ready?" Dave asked, his grin evident in the veiled lantern.
"Absolutely, if you are!” was my enthusiastic response.
He snapped off the intrusive light and, in silent agreement, we rolled to our backs to divine the mysteries of that clear spring sky.
It was the first time I had stopped long enough in my life to really look up. Neither of us spoke, fearful of shattering the moment.
Then... "See it? Do you see it?"
Dave had zeroed in on the North Star and began patiently to give form to the rest of the points of light.
"...Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Andromeda, Cassiopia, Orion's Belt…" The true wonder of the night began to unfold before me. I knew that I would never again look at the night sky in the same, casual fashion.
I could see in the ever-brightening starlight that Dave had raised his arm, finger pointed skyward, to emphasize each of his discoveries. I followed his directives and smiled as I became immersed in the enormity of it all.
"It's incredible! Now what do we look for?" I was mesmerized when I realized those points of light had meaning.
We held the astronomy book above us as Dave pointed out one constellation after another, flashlight strobing to highlight our printed map. Soon that crutch seemed unnecessary and we lapsed into silence, in no rush to break the spell. Then, as so many times before and since, no words were necessary. We let the comfort of our friendship surround us, both aware this was a captured moment.
I wonder if my long ago friend has any idea of the multitude of smiles he has blessed me with over the years? I have lived in the Midwest for decades where I can search the evening skies at will, unimpeded by campus lights or intrusive city neon. I have paused so many times under a clear dark sky, transported back to that blanket long ago where two friends made a memory that spans several generations now. My children have heard the story about how their mother came to appreciate the constellations and how they came to be named, acknowledging the fondness with which I share the story. And now the story will be passed on to grandchildren and beyond.
One small moment in time becomes a living memory affecting generations. Stay vigilant so none of them slip by unnoticed.
He snapped off the intrusive light and, in silent agreement, we rolled to our backs to divine the mysteries of that clear spring sky.
It was the first time I had stopped long enough in my life to really look up. Neither of us spoke, fearful of shattering the moment.
Then... "See it? Do you see it?"
Dave had zeroed in on the North Star and began patiently to give form to the rest of the points of light.
"...Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Andromeda, Cassiopia, Orion's Belt…" The true wonder of the night began to unfold before me. I knew that I would never again look at the night sky in the same, casual fashion.
I could see in the ever-brightening starlight that Dave had raised his arm, finger pointed skyward, to emphasize each of his discoveries. I followed his directives and smiled as I became immersed in the enormity of it all.
"It's incredible! Now what do we look for?" I was mesmerized when I realized those points of light had meaning.
We held the astronomy book above us as Dave pointed out one constellation after another, flashlight strobing to highlight our printed map. Soon that crutch seemed unnecessary and we lapsed into silence, in no rush to break the spell. Then, as so many times before and since, no words were necessary. We let the comfort of our friendship surround us, both aware this was a captured moment.
I wonder if my long ago friend has any idea of the multitude of smiles he has blessed me with over the years? I have lived in the Midwest for decades where I can search the evening skies at will, unimpeded by campus lights or intrusive city neon. I have paused so many times under a clear dark sky, transported back to that blanket long ago where two friends made a memory that spans several generations now. My children have heard the story about how their mother came to appreciate the constellations and how they came to be named, acknowledging the fondness with which I share the story. And now the story will be passed on to grandchildren and beyond.
One small moment in time becomes a living memory affecting generations. Stay vigilant so none of them slip by unnoticed.
Beautiful story!
ReplyDeleteThank you, my friend. Pulling up some older writing, reworking it, and seeing how I like it. This is a most fond memory. So many small moments define our lives....and many I spent with you, Becky, Gail, Ginny, and on and on. I hope those memories also reverberate somewhere in the universe.
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