“When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

For those of us who begin to grow extra hair and find ourselves howling, last night was a spectacular night to be outdoors and look skyward.  The Super Moon of March 19, 2011 came really close to the Earth — only 221,565 miles away.  In celestial terms, that’s just around the corner; and as I watched it appear above the horizon, it looked close enough to touch!  As the mirror in the sky looked down at once on the hiding sun and on me, I felt its light touch my own, and my hands moved involuntarily to brush down the goosebumps that caused the hair on my arms to stand up straight.

Only an hour earlier, on that crystal clear night, the sky was filled with stars.  They sparkled against the black darkness like silver shards of daylight splashed against the night sky as the sun kissed the day goodnight.  For a time they owned the sky, and I could feel myself sparkle with delight as I followed their example.  It seemed that all of them had marked their calendars for the big event.  I can’t remember another night when so many stars danced above me.  I lingered under their points of light and sent my dreams flying to them, one by one.  Perhaps while I sleep the stars will return those dreams to me and share my hopes with me as I sleep.

Then the moon arrived.  Each tiny star faded into the background as if deferring to a far greater light.  I looked down and saw that I was bathed in moonlight.  How perfect, I thought, that my friend, La Luna, should capture the light of the hidden sun and reflect it through the darkness to the place where I stood.  Now it was my turn to shine.  For a long time I stood there, glowing with the Light of Creation and feeling very much a part of the circle of light.  I, too, am a mirror of the Eternal Light.  I, too, have the capacity to shine through the darkness.  With a joyful heart, I took my reminder back to the warmth of my cozy house.  Tomorrow I will shine, I thought.   Yes.  Shine.