Last night Marq and I rose at 1:30 a.m., grabbed a flashlight and headed to the pool. The temperature hovered around 85, the pool a few degrees warmer. For a full hour we drifted under the night sky and watched meteors rain down above us.
“There’s one!”
“Ah!”
“Over there!”
“Make a wish!”
“Missed that one.”
“That’s seven!”
“A huge one!” blasted a trail of light for a full second or two, and soon we lost count, 20, 25, 30. I floated in sync with the night, with my husband — our fingertips barely touching, barely not.
The Perseid meteor shower, now at its peak, occurs every year from mid-July until the last week in August. Each summer Earth’s orbit takes us close enough to Comet Swift-Tuttle that its debris field extends into our atmosphere. The debris lights up the sky and we sit in awe below (Source).
We lasted only an hour, then headed back into the house, eager for sleep. Marq fell into an easy slumber while I lay shivering with a wet head, distracted by the ceiling fan above me. Soon the cat cozied up against my feet and my mind began to drift…..
…..back to the pool, the meteors, the comet above, our Earth below, the Universe, the vastness of it all. I thought about the truth that all life originates from the stars that “(e)very single atom in your body—the calcium in your bones, the carbon in your genes, the iron in your blood, the gold in your filling—was created in a star billions of years ago” (Source).
So much to ponder!
Only then did I feel small and insignificant. Only then did I feel content, knowing that all the wishes of the night had already been granted.
Sources
Firstbrook, David. Photo, Isle of Wight. August 12, 2015. http://www.space.com/22335-perseid-meteor-shower-photos-wow-stargazers.html
McClure, Bruce. “Everything you need to know: Perseid meteor shower.” Earth Sky. August 02, 2015. http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-perseid-meteor-shower. August 13, 2015.
Tyson, Peter. “The Star In You.” Nova. December. 12, 2010. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/star-in-you.html. August 13, 2015.
Lynda: Love! This is beautiful. So in synch with thoughts I’ve had recently: “We are stardust. We are golden,” from Joni Mitchell. Also, years ago, I had this same feeling of centeredness and being just where I was supposed to be while riding Star, with a big moon rising. Good thoughts happen on horseback. Thank you for this reminder about the perfection of what is.
Our world really is perfect if we can just see it. Even in its horror and imperfection there are moments of pure love and joy. Hope and peace.
Love this, Lynda. And, I admit, I am a bit jealous. So many nights I go out in a vain attempt to see the stars – and am foiled every time by the city lights. It’s so interesting to think of how we are as disconnected from our star-selves as we are from our wild animal selves in our “civilized” lives. There has been much written on the effect, often subtle, often not, of the lack of true darkness in our lives – that kind of darkness that allows us to see star shine. Glad you and Marq were able to experience it on what sounds like a magical night!
Our star-selves…..such a beautiful term. This is where pure consciousness resides, yes? The interconnectedness will all things. We were fortunate that night with the new moon; our skies were darker than usual. I try to touch base with this part of myself on a daily basis, if even for a brief second. Thanks for sharing!
I am transported…
Sooooo LOVELY Lynda. YOU are one of my favorite pieces of stardust. Shine on my dear friend.
Same to you, my dear. We make beautiful stardust, don’t we!!
Your post has been echoing through my brain. What a wondrous paradox to find contentment in our smallness and insignificance in the universe. But it isn’t a paradox at all. It is deep peace to realize that we are all part of something larger than ourselves that stretches into the eternity that has already been and the eternity yet to be. I love that you try to touch that part of your being daily. I strive mightily–some days are better than others. Be well, my dear friend, as you contemplate the stars.
Beautifully said, Mary Margaret. I feel the same thing, that some days the struggle is easy, others not so. It seems I am less troubled by the harder days than I used to be and that brings me peace. Growing, learning, staying awake to the possiblilites, sounds cliche at times, but seems to be the only way I can stay grounded. Sending you and yours love and many blessings.