And We All Looked Up

Enjoy this moment of wonder experienced by guest blogger, Jean Berg. When people join together to watch such a moving site, a unique connection is created . . .

They came by the thousands. From Oxford, U.K. a Dad with two young daughters, from upstate New York, a Mom with two active little boys from Miami Florida, young men from the Sudan. They carried blankets, water bottles, cameras, sun screen along with babies and picnic food. All this and so much more: the Great American Eclipse. Strangers offered special glasses and shared photographs along with a sandwich or a patch of shade. And these are just a few of the crowd we met. Is this what America could look like to be truly Great? Bring it on!

As the sun gradually gave way to the creeping moon, the sky darkened, the dogs howled, the cicadas chirped wildly and the sound of human voices became silent; almost reverent. And then it was night. Venus clearly shined against the darkness interrupted after precisely two minutes by cheering and clapping, laughing and hugging and yes, some tears. It was phenomenal. And for those two preious minutes all the stress and rage and pain of the world was eclipsed.

Unexpectedly a lump formed in my throat; I was reminded of the awe I experienced watching sea turtles heave their bodies up the sandy beach, dig the nest into which 100 warm soft eggs would be deposited. Hours later the turtle would return to the sea and leave her future family to survive as nature planned. A ritual as old as time and so quietly beautiful.

This morning, one day following this extraordinary experience, I looked up at the sky and felt a new respect for the mysteries it still contains. And I am grateful.

Jean Berg