Will you be chasing it?
Today is the first time in nearly 40 years that a total solar eclipse will be visible from mainland United States. In other words, the moon will briefly block the sun in the middle of the day and Americans may actually be able to see it (with special glasses).
My general sense is that it’s mostly science-lovers getting excited about this, but it’s an important moment for writers and other artists as well.
Ask anyone who has written a memoir, for example, how seemingly objective things happening in the world lined up with key moments in their lives. Ask any historical novelist how her literary perspective made her view natural or scientific events in an entirely new context.
For a few brief moments, our day will temporarily become night.
What NASA describes as “heavenly bodies” will line up for us to witness.
The moon will outshine the sun.
All photos courtesy of www.NASA.gov.
Are you inspired yet?
If you're in the United States, where will you watch the eclipse today? Let us know in the comments!
PRACTICE
For today's writing prompt, take fifteen minutes to write something inspired by today’s total solar eclipse.
Or, take fifteen minutes to write about a time when a major event in the world corresponded with a major event in your life.
Share in the comments section! And don't forget to leave feedback for your fellow writers!
Rain. Can you believe it? Las Vegas get’s 4.17 inches of rain from a total of 21 days of precipitation. True, all we could see this far south, is a partial eclipse, but still they are “kewl” to view via projector or glasses.
I remember one partial eclipse when I lived in So. California. I had forgotten the hoopla about the event until I noted the shadows on the ground under a tree. I started to note a round shape with a byte out of it. Looking closer I realized I was watching the eclipse. Nature itself was providing its own projector. Now that was cool.
We lived an Eclipse a couple of years ago (I live in Europe), and I remember feeling colder and the daylight turning gray. We tried to do the trick of the box with a hole to watch it with my kids, but we were not able to see anything! sorry for that inopportune rain.
That was totally cool! I waited all day for something living in South Florida and it wasn’t nearly as perfect as those in the path. My fiance’ and I have a date for the next one and are already making plans to be in the center of action! 2024, right? Maybe you should too!
Total Eclipse
The ghostly light of the eclipse and the astonished crowd provided me with a perfect opportunity. I’ve always been lucky and I thought that day wasn’t going to be different. When I saw that woman stepping out of the hallway I knew she was the one. She was middle aged, not very tall, in her weight. Her short brown hair needed a date with the hairdresser. She was wearing jeans, tennis shoes and a dark blue sport jacket that didn’t suit her at all. An outdated handbag hanged from her left shoulder. She carried in her arms a couple of heavy books and a big envelope. She headed towards the post office.
She tried to keep her quick walking pace, but she felt curious and wanted to watch the eclipse as the rest of the people in the street was doing. That was my best chance. She couldn’t help bumping into me and almost falling, but I had time to get ready so I held her up. None of us could avoid everything she was holding in her arms falling to the ground in a mess. We both kneeled immediately to pick up her belongings. While I gathered the books and the envelope she tried to hide a bunch of very personal objects that were inside her handbag and revealed so many things about her. She didn’t notice that her purse was still on the ground.
“I’m very sorry”.- She said looking up at me for the first time as we both stood up. – “Please forgive my clumsiness”.
“Don’t worry”. – I displayed my rehearsed and charming smile and the most intense look I can give.
I’m not handsome but I’ve learned that many women in their forties feel thrilled when a young man shows some interest in them. And this one wasn’t an exception. The bass tone of my voice made her blush brighter than she already was. The blue bags under her eyes and her embarrassment made me feel sorry for her. But just for an instant.
“This was behind you.”. – I handled the purse to her.
“Oh! Thanks… thank you for helping”. – She took it from my hand and I managed to touch her fingers just enough to make her shiver.
She continued her way to the post office. Another middle aged woman was staring at me through the glass wall of the office. I felt generous, given my recent luck, and compelled to show to her my perfect smile as a present. I thought maybe it could make her feel better. I knew I had to get out of there as fast as possible, so I hurried to turn the corner. I could hardly believe it when hardly five minutes later I was stopped by two police officers.
“Would you please come with us?” – Asked one of them harshly
“What’s going on agent? I’m just having a walk.”
“A woman called us from the post office. She said she saw you taking the money out of another woman’s purse. And she told us this is not the first time you do it.” – He explained as he pulled me inside the back seat of the police car. I was just starting to regret my last stupid smile.
The total eclipse of the sun reminds me of new beginnings. I decided to STOP WRITING my children’s NOVEL, as Joe Bunting suggests. Yes, I entered the Fall Writing contest with the theme of FALL in Love. I wondered how I could write a love story about my own parents. With their college yearbook pictures in front of me, showing them in the various activities they enjoyed could I imagine people I didn’t know in 1945? It should be a good exercise to flesh out parental types and add more emotion to my writing.
Fancy my surprise when I re-read the LIFE magazine of November 5, 1945 to find background information about my parents in college. I discovered an article about a TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN which occurred on July 9, 1945. The pictures are scientific and the captions explain the entire event.
Of course, that article reminds us that there have been many eclipses in the USA: 1932 and 1954 were mentioned by the authors of “The Eclipse of July 9.” Scientists, fliers and professors recorded images from the sky.
Meanwhile my own story can borrow from our family legend recorded in another LIFE feature on page 13. On the campus of Indiana University, my mother’s sorority sisters, including one very skinny- ankled co-ed, all flashed their ruffled panties at the camera for a Football Homecoming Contest in which Alpha Omicron Pi sisters won honorable mention for the slogan printed across their fannies: “INDIANA BEAT NEBRASKA.” The banner hanging pertly from the front of the campus house reads “Indiana Can-Can Nebraska” The caption under this picture in the national magazine says: “Show stopped traffic all morning,”
It was autumn, also known as Fall, when my parents fell in love.
Finally the day of the total solar eclipse – Oregon to South Carolina. Last total solar eclipse in USA 1918. To be prepared found out glasses had already been sold out. Okay! Google what to do. Boy Scouts of America (BSA) on YouTube demonstrate how to make looking apparatus from a shoe box. Hole covered with aluminum foil to the left of one side of the box, puncture aluminum with nail (3mmm); to the right a hole to look into and at the opposite inside of the holes place a white piece of paper. Have back to sun, view from box and capture sun through pinhole. Tried it and it worked. Another way take selfie of sun. Again, back to sun, selfie on and hooray, picture of sun. Saddened by the fact in northeast only partial eclipse but happy working on viewer was successful and have pictures from selfie.
Resorted to viewing total eclipses from Oregon to South Carolina on C-Span I. The elation of the people present in the different states was heartwarming – unity of people because of today’s technology.
What a great idea to save the day! Real good to know. ❤
I can relate to your perspective on us all coming together because of our current technology. I think social media is a more powerful tool than what we think.
And a cool casual reminder for the next event.
Thank you.
My dad told me about another way to make a viewing lens. Take a roll of real black and white film and open it up and expose it to light. Then, take the film to be developed. Now cut the developed film into strips and you have a viewable slide. Dad’s now 82 and has used this approach on several occasions. Plus, and best of all, he can still see!!
I was up early waiting for today’s eclipse. I watched all of my favorite game shows before they broadcast it on the news. Today’s eclipse has just proved that anything can happen in the world. It’s better than hearing about the bad news that comes up every day. It is a wonderful experience even though it only lasted a minute or two after the morning rain.
Yes! It was awesome watching the country so excited about going into darkness. I think it’s a good sign, knowing there is is light on the other side.
I don’t have the time to write on the prompt right now, but I’d like to share a fabulous short story about a total eclipse: Isaac Asimov’s “Nightfall.” It’s a must-read for this spectacular natural event.
What could happen if #solareclipse2017 glasses healed our hearts of racial division? If after you removed them, your heart would be healed of bias?
Today I spent hours watching the American spirit. Millions of people gathered across the US from miles away to see light become dark and become light again. I thought about all the negativity spawned from current events, and praised everyone who put down their opinions to marvel at something we have no control over. Universal forces brought us together, like it did in the beginning of mankind. This brief moment was a reminder that we can come together again. We must stop, take a breath, pay attention, respect each other and comprehend how short our Earthly life is. Our essence needs to be cherished, not victimized.
I agree! We needed something like this to bring us back to what unites us all, location and love. On eclipse day, I didn’t think a thing about the political events of the day! What a joy!
Where we were in Ks, the clouds blocked most of it. But we saw the beginning and the ending. Just as it grew dark, the clouds helped by covering the sun as the moon did. We did notice how dark it had gotten beyond the normal cloud cover. But we were there and got to see it from another vantage point on TV coverage.
I’m in Washington state and there wasn’t total darkness. It did get darker and the air was several degrees cooler. I had a pair of the special glasses and shared them with several others in my area. It was totally cool to watch this in real time and feel neat I was able to witness this part of nature. 🙂
I didn’t have time to write this story before so I’m sorry it’s a bit late. I live in Michigan so I didn’t get to see the solar eclipse. Actually, I didn’t notice a bit of change at all. Anyway, this is my first time posting my story here and I hope I get feedback. Okay, so here’s why I wrote:
The weight of the backpack rested heavily on Tom’s shoulders and he stumbled on the stairs, reaching out a hand to avoid crashing into the hard cement.
I laughed at him, racing up the steps two at a time. A stream of curses flew out of his mouth as he struggled to catch up to me.
I reached the roof and my eyes widened. Massive crowds sat on the rooftop, laughing and talking, and nearly all of them wearing glasses. It was as if the whole of Colorado was poured in.
I put on my own glasses and looked up at the sky. Only a crescent of the sun showed. The moon covered most of it, casting us all in darkness.
“Aiden! Over here!” Tom shouted. I looked around and spotted him in a corner, leaning on a bunch of pillows (where had those come from anyway) and munching on a cookie.
I sat next to him, grabbing a cookie from the plate and looked up. Suddenly, the volume around us skyrocketed. Cheering and clapping erupted. The disc of the moon completely covered the disc of the sun.
It was a total solar eclipse.
My jaw dropped. In my peripheral vision, I saw Tom pull out his phone to take pictures just like everyone else. I would’ve taken pictures of it too, but all I could do was stare at it in awe.
The place was draped in darkness and the only lights were from phone screens and that just made everything seem so surreal.
The moon blocked the sun and although everything was already pretty dark, somehow, the moon was darker than everything around it. The corona outlined the dark sphere and I was truly mesmerized by nature’s beauty.
Slowly, the moon began to move away, allowing the sun to bathe us in its golden rays once again.
I stood up and stretched. I’ve enjoyed the two minutes of night in day. I turned around and helped a smiling Tom to his feet.
We made our way past all the people staying for the rooftop party and down the stairs.
The solar eclipse was a breathtaking phenomena. And I’m glad I was able to witness such a spectacular event.
I laughed when he tripped and recovered too, it was almost as if i was walking right beside you. Very vividly described.
I noticed a probable need for a comma:
“—phone screens” ,
Keep writing ❤
Thanks Lunaire! Much appreciated!
Jake couldn’t have been more excited. His first total eclipse of the sun and he was going to have a first-row seat.
His dad took two days off from work and took him to the mountains on a camping trip. They left early to avoid traffic and be sure to reach the best spot in time. They parked at the beginning of the wood, behind the abandoned hut of the late Hurley, at the end of the white road.
They had to hike for more than three hours on the old trail of the natives to arrive at the right place. Jake was so excited about the idea that, despite his usual laziness, he almost flown through the trail and never complained.
The place was as he expected it to be. A small open on the top of a hill. Thick woods surrounded them on every direction, but the sky over them was open and crystal clear. They prepared the tent and ate something, but Jake had only one thing in mind. He was going to see his first total eclipse.
When the moment came, they laid down on the grass with their eyes to the sky. They were both wearing protective glasses. The blades of grass were tickling their neck, but they didn’t care. Their minds were all focused on the moon swiftly covering the sun.
The sky got darker and darker until only it was almost pitch black. The sun was gone, only a small round of light reminding them where it used to be. They waited for the moon to slip away and the sun to shine back over them.
But nothing happened.
Minutes passed, but the moon wasn’t moving. The sky was still dark, and the temperature was dropping.
Jake asked his father what was happening?
The moon should have gone away, the sun and the sky should be back to normal.
His father didn’t reply. Not a word.
Jack turned his head to the right, but where his father was there was only darkness. He threw away his glasses and jumped on his feet.
His father was gone. The tent was gone. The sun was gone.
There was only darkness and cold.
Jake screamed. With all the energy of his fear.
But no sounds came out of his mouth.
Oh wow! That could be the start of a bigger, super cool piece of complex fiction.
May i suggest the use of a comma?
Line: —“where his father was, there was only darkness.”
I’d love to read more!
Thanks!
I had a special event that day. I invited two of my family members. I knew it could backfire, they don’t like me. I would have to tiptoe around broken eggshells all day. It’s always been like that. I don’t mind. I love them anyway.
It was chaos this morning. Both me and my daughter overslept. The alarm never went off. I shrugged it off, thinking it had been the whole energy of the eclipse causing technological difficulties, as was said in the news.
We didn’t have time to unglue our eyelids properly, running around like maniacs looking for clothes that had been thrown all over the place by my twin toddlers the night before.
When we were finally ready, we couldn’t find the keys. Again running around like lunatics, i find the keys in the fridge! Can you believe it?
I sure couldn’t. “How can something like this happen?”, the little voice in my head asked, baffled and curious.
Right then and there i remembered my stormy toddlers. I laughed out loud to my insides.
Then, out of nowhere, they were both standing right by me. They escaped their playroom/toy cemetery and were looking for breakfast. It was okay, i stop everything I’m doing happily for my starlings.
When we finally head out, we start the car and leave. I noticed i left my wallet. We turn back. We save the wallet. We go out again.
Half way to the event, the car sputters and almost dies. Thankfully, a gas station was near by. I forgot to look at the gas meter before i went all out on my path seeking.
Right by our destination, my mind decided to get lost on its own and we spent 43 minutes turning back and looking for the right entrance. To our surprise, but maybe not yours, as you may have noticed the messy predictability, it was jammed. Everyone wanted to get in at the same time. We were all late.
As you can imagine by now, my company had been expecting me. They had been there right on time.
We were supposed to be there at 9:00am. It was 11:20 when we arrived.
During the event i stumbled with someone else who i know truly despises me, but acts entirely the opposite way. I’m shrugging everything off, there are heavily important things on my mind to be wasting time on all of this, since im already late. But i can’t help but noticing how this is developing a crescendo towards a weird and mysterious goal. I have yet to imagine it.
The eclipse is making itself visible now, and among thousands of people speaking, joking and wondering, i felt i a kind of silence.
All of my company got scrambled and lost in the crowd. Only my daughter was with me.
I thought I’d find them on the way out but i never did. Not one tried calling me. I called and texted. No answer.
It’s been months now. I don’t think i will be hearing from them again. I think the eclipse wiped them off of me. They dissapeared right in the middle of the day’s darkness. Never to return again.
Im sad… But I’m thankful.
Every day is an eclipse. I work underground and the eclipse passed over my head unnoticed, unapplauded. I remember getting out early and thinking that I had better not look up or drive towards the west. I half expected a little magic in the air, but when I surfaced it looked like a normal day. People stood in relaxed lines waiting for sluggish buses. I still did not look up. “Cannot burn the eyes,” I thought. Why is it so hard to avoid looking at the sun when you ignore it every other day? A bus strolls by but its not mine. I pull out my phone and eagerly scroll for eclipse news like a doomsday prepped. They say you can see the eclipse safely in the reflection of tree leaves. I look at the leaves. I do not see any tiny eclipses. Now I am pretty sure it has passed. On the bus at last, I am still scrolling. It looks like the eclipse is over at 4:05 and it is 3:55. The minuets tick by 5,4,3,2,1. It is over. Not to worry. I will be in the dark again tomorrow.
We drove from Denver to Glendo, Wyoming on the morning of August 20th to witness the solar eclipse. Rachel, Jen, Faria, and Ben had invited me along for the trip. Our destination was the Bow Medicine National Forest where the eclipse was to reach 100% totality. The area was beautiful with rolling hills and pointy mountain peaks overlooking some pastures with cows. As we drove we talked about our expectations of what the performance would be like, but at the same time we really had no idea what was about to take place on Monday morning. The last full eclipse to happen in the US was in the 70s, so only a couple of people I knew had ever witnessed this.
The drive there was easy. It took about six hours with some detours, and we drove through the national forest where camping is allowed basically anywhere. We joked about the “eclipse vibes” that would help us find the best spot to set up camp and the best site to witness the eclipse. There were a few groups of people already set up when we got there but still plenty of space to find an awesome site, with open space as far as we could see. We decided to set up between two large boulders, each about 30 feet high, to block the wind from our site. We spent the night relaxing, drinking beers, marveling at the Milky Way visible above our heads, and speculating on what tomorrow would bring. We laughed while picturing stampedes of animals galloping through the fields, birds hectically flapping about, and even Jesus descending on a cloud as the sun disappeared behind the moon. We heard many theories about how the animals would react and how our bodies and minds would react as well. But being that no one had any experience on the subject, we kept our minds open.
The next morning we woke up around 7:30 AM and sat in our camping chairs while we boiled water to make coffee. The weather this morning could not have been more perfect. The sun was bright in the sky with not a cloud as far as the eye could see. The wind was light and cool, and the birds flew about and were making their usual morning songs as the insects and crickets were buzzing and hopping around. We decided our viewing spot for the eclipse would be at the top of one of the large boulders, the one that gave us the best view east towards the rising sun, and where we could see miles of valleys and mountain peaks. The cows were milling about in the distance which excited us because we were very interested in how they would react to darkness during the day. We were curious about whether we would be able to see the stars, whether the moon would be visible before it reached the sun, whether the moon would block out the sun completely to create an intense darkness, or continue to let some sunlight through. We talked about what it may look like from different parts of the US, and where our friends and family would be witnessing the same thing at the same time as us. We even wondered if the eclipse was going to be all it was hyped up to be. Either way, we could not hold in our excitement of the unknown.
At around 10:30 AM we grabbed some beers and decided to climb the rock and just hang out until this whole thing went down. It wasn’t long before Ben told us to grab our eclipse glasses and check out the sun. In the upper right-hand corner of the sun we could see a dark semi-circular shape creeping onto the face of the sun. Our excitement boiled over as we exclaimed our disbelief that this was actually happening. We continued to hang out on the rock and chat and occasionally pick up our glasses to see how far the moon had moved. We speculated about what time the eclipse would occur, and laughed when someone would forget their glasses to look at the sun. At around 11:30 we began noticing that the lighting around us had begun to change. It was difficult to describe what the light was like because it was something we had never seen before. We looked around and discussed what time it appeared to resemble, like late afternoon, but still we agreed that nothing we had ever seen before could perfectly describe what we were seeing now. We noticed that the cows had left our vision, and the birds were beginning to fly into the trees as their cheery morning songs quieted. The sound of bugs and crickets chirping softened, and we began to hear the quiet humming that crickets make through the night. The wind picked up, or perhaps we became more aware of it as the temperature began to drop, not slowly like it does as the sun sets before nighttime, but rapidly and undoubtedly. The sky would now begin to turn a light purple and at the horizon we could see shades of pinks and oranges like a sunset, but again, different. Unable to contain our excitement, we stood up and realized that instead of a normal sunset like we had seen regularly over our lifetime, this “sunset” was 360° around us. My heart was racing with emotion trying to understand what was happening around me. The trees high up on the mountains in the distance begin to look blurry, like when twilight hits and you have to squint to see detail. With our glasses, we continued to check on the moon and see what phase the eclipse was in. When the moon was almost completely in front of the sun, to where what was left of the sun was only a small crescent shape peaking behind, I felt as if this was the most excitement I had ever experienced in my life and it was hard to hold back a few tears.
The next half of a minute happened so quickly. Darkness soared over the valley towards us at 5 miles a second, as we learned would happen preceding the total eclipse, but never could have imagined how it actually went down. As we looked up, we could see a thin and astonishingly beautiful ring in the sky as the rays of light from the sun peaked around the dark moon, and stars speckled the sky. We were all left absolutely speechless, smiling like children and spinning around to make sure we could capture and hold on to every minute of this natural phenomenon that gave us a feeling we had never felt before, a completely surreal moment that we were spending together out in the wilderness.
When it was all complete and the moon continued along its path, we too, set to packing up camp, all the while laughing in disbelief while trying to find words that could explain what had just occurred before our eyes. We got in the car and headed out of the wilderness and back to reality. As we passed the rolling pastures, we came to a stop behind a line of cars. Ahead of us, the cows were crossing the road, but instead of moseying along like cows do, they galloped like horses in packs and jumped around while kicking out their hind legs. I tried to imagine what the eclipse would have been like for me if I had no idea it was coming, too.
Before entering the packed freeway that would lead us home to Denver, we stopped at a gas station to refuel the car and our bodies. The convenience store was crowded with people of all ages, all of whom had come out to see the sun and our planet’s moon cross paths. I realized immediately how the behavior of the people around me was different than usual. Everyone looked star-struck, maybe just as amazed as we were, by what they had just seen. Even with the large amount of people in the store, it was quiet. I’d like to think that, like I was, they were still picturing the anomaly over and over again in their minds, knowing that it will fade with time, but never be totally gone. The feeling of peace in the crowded quick-stop was almost such that you could reach out and touch it. Our little group of five were not the only people who’s lives were changed by this phenomenon.
I’d like to share a post from my blog about the eclipse.
https://angelinasgarden.wordpress.com/2017/08/24/a-bizarre-realization/
In 2002 I headed to South Africa with my boyfriend at the time to “chase the solar eclipse.” There was a festival of people from all over the world who we on this land borrowed from an aboriginous tribe. The chief of the tribe along with his wives and children were invited to camp with us in the festival. As we started to peak on our drugs and look up at the sky to view the eclipse we realized the clouds were not breaking for us to see. Lining one side of the dance floor was the chief and each of his family members looking at us dressed in our party finest, drinking warm champagne and some of us not mentally on the planet. I imagined they wondered why they heck we would come from all over the world for this. Before I could think too hard about it, a guy from Japan stripped off his clothes, rolled around in the mud and screamed “Get naked!” before running off.
This year as the eclipse was coming basically to my back yard, one state away, I bought tickets for the festival again. After some contemplation I realized I have changed in the last 15 years and sold those tickets to a friend, but my ex reminded me that I was due an eclipse and I should go. This time I flew up to Seattle to meet a girlfriend from college. She left her kids with her husband and we headed South. I quit watching the news years ago but she filled me in on the news spreading fear of horrible traffic, no place to stay, gas stations without gas and the locals in OR stocking their pantries and staying home in fear of all the tourists coming to look at the sky for 2 1/2 mins.
Now, I don’t have kids and I’ve learned in my singleness to embrace the flow and not to worry about planning. Somehow she trusted me and we left at 8am, 2 hours later than she wanted. No traffic. We met another friend of mine in Portland for lunch before finding a pop up event on a street corner offering free mimosas, tacos and pet adoptions. Who could pass that up?!
On our way to Maltnomah Falls we saw a sign that said the exit we wanted was closed due to so much traffic so we found a place to get gas, a few groceries and then discovered a river along the road where people were relaxing in the hot sun. After about an hour of relaxing we got back in the car and drove to the Falls with no problem. It was a beautiful hike.
Pulling out my phone to see where we were and where we could potentially sleep in the car that night I saw we were close to Mount Hood. Neither of us had been there and I had my camera. Lost Lake looked promising for pictures so we decided to head that way.
The campground of 125 camp sites that we passed had a big “No Vacancy” sign out front. That’s OK, we were going to camp in her SUV. We finally found Lost Lake about an hour before sunset. Something inspired her to go to the General Store and ask about camp sites in the area.
“There are a few left in the first come, first serve area,” said the lady behind the counter.
This lady must not know that this is the eclipse weekend. Nothing was going to be available, but we nodded and smiled and decided to check it out. Sure enough, there was a spot. We jumped out and set up camp before heading back to pay the lady.
Blessings!!
We stayed there for two nights. No phone service, just girls being girls, hiking, laughing, taking pictures and looking up at the sky.
The day of the eclipse came and we decided to get up early and prepare for that traffic the news was so sure of. We waited and waited and found no traffic. After driving into a field where we saw people looking up at the sky and were told to turn around because it was private property we settled on some land down the road near a gas station. It was peaceful. It was epic. We watched as the moon moved, the sky darkened and the temperatures dropped. People started hooting and hollering and then a man yells, “We survived!”
After 15 mins of chilling in the area by this gas station we hopped back in the car, she drove me to the airport with no problems and we both realized how Blessed we were for how everything turned out.
We both believe in God and recognized that with Him, there is no reason to fear.
Two days after I returned to work, my employer decided to let me go. Some of my co-workers had a problem with me a month ago and though I did everything they asked including skipping my lunches to do their work and staying long hours to get their work done on top of mine, they decided I didn’t have the “skill-set” to be part of the team, even though there were no problems with my work or they could have fired me instead of terminated me. (Turns out there is a difference). I realized the only reason they didn’t terminate my position sooner was because they needed me to help them with a deadline that was due Aug 4 and then my co-worker went on a 2 week vacation and they needed to cover her work while she was gone. They let me go the day she came back to work. Coincidence? I think not.
But after a weekend of Blessings, I know that God is watching over me. I don’t have a plan, but I have ideas. Last weekend, I had ideas and He gave us opportunities that were so much better than anything I had come up with.
This my friends is the definition of faith. Faith the sky will lighten again and it won’t always be dark. Faith that not everything you hear on the news is real. Faith that there is something bigger then us that is watching over us and making sure we land on our feet.
In 2002 I headed to South Africa with my boyfriend at the time to “chase the solar eclipse.” There was a festival of people from all over the world who we on this land borrowed from an aboriginous tribe. The chief of the tribe along with his wives and children were invited to camp with us in the festival. As we started to peak on our drugs and look up at the sky to view the eclipse we realized the clouds were not breaking for us to see. Lining one side of the dance floor was the chief and each of his family members looking at us dressed in our party finest, drinking warm champagne and some of us not mentally on the planet. I imagined they wondered why they heck we would come from all over the world for this. Before I could think too hard about it, a guy from Japan stripped off his clothes, rolled around in the mud and screamed “Get naked!” before running off.
This year as the eclipse was coming basically to my back yard, one state away, I bought tickets for the festival again. After some contemplation I realized I have changed in the last 15 years and sold those tickets to a friend, but my ex reminded me that I was due an eclipse and I should go. This time I flew up to Seattle to meet a girlfriend from college. She left her kids with her husband and we headed South. I quit watching the news years ago but she filled me in on the news spreading fear of horrible traffic, no place to stay, gas stations without gas and the locals in OR stocking their pantries and staying home in fear of all the tourists coming to look at the sky for 2 1/2 mins.
Now, I don’t have kids and I’ve learned in my singleness to embrace the flow and not to worry about planning. Somehow she trusted me and we left at 8am, 2 hours later than she wanted. No traffic. We met another friend of mine in Portland for lunch before finding a pop up event on a street corner offering free mimosas, tacos and pet adoptions. Who could pass that up?!
On our way to Maltnomah Falls we saw a sign that said the exit we wanted was closed due to so much traffic so we found a place to get gas, a few groceries and then discovered a river along the road where people were relaxing in the hot sun. After about an hour of relaxing we got back in the car and drove to the Falls with no problem. It was a beautiful hike.
Pulling out my phone to see where we were and where we could potentially sleep in the car that night I saw we were close to Mount Hood. Neither of us had been there and I had my camera. Lost Lake looked promising for pictures so we decided to head that way.
The campground of 125 camp sites that we passed had a big “No Vacancy” sign out front. That’s OK, we were going to camp in her SUV. We finally found Lost Lake about an hour before sunset. Something inspired her to go to the General Store and ask about camp sites in the area.
“There are a few left in the first come, first serve area,” said the lady behind the counter.
This lady must not know that this is the eclipse weekend. Nothing was going to be available, but we nodded and smiled and decided to check it out. Sure enough, there was a spot. We jumped out and set up camp before heading back to pay the lady.
We stayed there for two nights. No phone service, just girls being girls, hiking, laughing, taking pictures and looking up at the sky.
The day of the eclipse came and we decided to get up early and prepare for that traffic the news was so sure of. We waited and waited and found no traffic. After driving into a field where we saw people looking up at the sky and were told to turn around because it was private property we settled on some land down the road near a gas station. It was peaceful. It was epic. We watched as the moon moved, the sky darkened and the temperatures dropped. People started hooting and hollering and then a man yells, “We survived!”
After 15 mins of chilling in the area by this gas station we hopped back in the car, she drove me to the airport with no problems and we both realized how Blessed we were for how everything turned out.
We both believe in God and recognized that with Him, there is no reason to fear.
Two days after I returned to work, my employer decided to let me go. Some of my co-workers had a problem with me a month ago and though I did everything they asked including skipping my lunches to do their work and staying long hours to get their work done on top of mine, they decided I didn’t have the “skill-set” to be part of the team, even though there were no problems with my work or they could have fired me instead of terminated me. (Turns out there is a difference). I realized the only reason they didn’t terminate my position sooner was because they needed me to help them with a deadline that was due Aug 4 and then my co-worker went on a 2 week vacation and they needed to cover her work while she was gone. They let me go the day she came back to work. Coincidence? I think not.
But after a weekend of Blessings, I know that God is watching over me. I don’t have a plan, but I have ideas. Last weekend, I had ideas and He gave us opportunities that were so much better than anything I had come up with.
This my friends is the definition of faith. Faith the sky will lighten again and it won’t always be dark. Faith that not everything you hear on the news is real. Faith that there is something bigger then us that is watching over us and making sure we land on our feet.