Total Eclipse of the Soul

Prov. 3: 5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Total Eclipse of the Soul

I wasn’t expecting too much yesterday because weathermen tried to ruin the suspense but I was hoping I would get to see the once in a lifetime total solar eclipse in its totality and let me tell you, it was everything I expected and MORE! I set my lounge chair up outside directing it toward the sun. About ten minutes before the moon began its trek in front of the sun, I posted my blog yesterday. Sloppy as it was I was in a hurry and wasn’t much caring about typos or grammar at that point, I wanted to witness the breathtaking total solar eclipse, the spiritual experience of a lifetime.

I hurried outside, plopped in my chair and the hours passed by like liquid pouring from a cup. My neck has been in a lot of pain this past week, I think from sleeping wrong but yeah a lot of pain for days now. I couldn’t sit in the normal lawn chair, I had to use the one that enabled me to stretch out allowing me and my neck a relaxing position without hurting myself.

I lay there, glasses on and sat watching, waiting, wanting. For some reason, I was expecting something metaphysical to happen because when I watch the stars, the clouds, the leaves, nature, in general, I always have the experience to write about even if it’s meant to be just for me. But yesterday, the eclipse was for millions to witness but would we all see it the same way? Would we all feel that universal connection to the heavens?

My tee shirt logo

Hubby purchased tee shirts a month ago in eager anticipation of what was going to unfold. As the day the eclipse was set to happen, you could feel something brewing in the air even upon waking. Now we’re in no way extravagant, but we felt we needed to mark this day in history by something more significant than a picture. A tee shirt was our little taste of extravagance for the special day. The above pic is mine and my son's workplace provided their own tee's for the occasion. This event is big for Nebraskans.

The entire week leading up to the day had been sunny but forecasters called for this special day to be huddled in clouds. At best the eclipse would be hit or miss. Not expecting anything because of what the weathermen said, I still waited on the Lord to put on a spectacular show; if he can move mountains and part the sea, He certainly can make sure the clouds are moved so that those who needed to see the blazing glory had the chance. 

The temps were in the eighties. the breeze swift and I could feel myself getting a little anxious. Like a teenager anticipating a first date, I awaited my escort to show up. The shadows were playing tricks; dancing silhouettes spun on the ground. The sky looked like a fluorescent light bulb casting shadows in a strange flickering light.

Shadows on the ground minutes before totality

As the moon crept over the sun the sky was slowly becoming the celestial event of a lifetime for me. As it neared totality, the wind ceased. The birds quieted. My husband and I basically were holding our breath. Do you remember the scene from The Ten Commandments movie where Moses is facing the burning bush? He took his shoes off because he was on the Holy ground? That is exactly how I felt as the minutes ticked toward totality, the seconds became the moment, and totality kissed my face, brushing my hair in darkness, whisking my mind to a euphoric high. The sky darkened, the stars briefly appeared, birds silenced as crickets chirred to life.

It happened, the gentle kiss upon arrival, a ring of fire lit 'round the moon. I could see a pinkish light to the right of the moon as if to blush at seeing me. The rest of the circle was a shiny silver plate setting at the King’s castle. Then something happened I wasn’t expecting, tears flowed from my eyes and I bowed my head in the palms of my hands and thanked the Lord for this chance to see His beautiful creation in full splendor. Points of light shone round about like a silent explosion. I bawled my eyes out trying to see all this beauty while fireworks went off in the background twenty miles away in the instant darkness graced the earth. I was basking for a moment in the presence of my Lord.

Totality

While I’m seeing images from around the U.S., some real and some obvious fakes, some over filtered, some raw, there is nothing like actually viewing with your naked eye. Nothing captured what I actually observed with my own eyes, heart, and soul. For a twinkle in time, people stopped, the earth paused in adoration, kids stopped texting and saw the event that would give rise to higher thoughts. My hubby used his eclipse glasses as a shield to click a picture of the total eclipse. He took one with his phone and one with the camera. Me? I was lounging in awe, silently rejoicing in my Lord for the majestic event of the day, looking forward to when we’d meet again. While not everyone was consciously focused on the same thing, I was only focused on Him. Not the sun, not the moon, Him, just Him, the One and Only Son!

Dan. 4:3 “How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.”

Acts 2:19 “And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:”

Interesting...

Once in a lifetime!

It Was Interesting...the visit

We had been invited to our sister-in-laws birthday party. This would be another event of this loving family to get together. With food, love, and laughter the day would celebrate her 50th birthday. The differences with his family as opposed to my family back home in Maryland are polar opposites. My family hated get-togethers and whenever we did have one there was always alcohol, in hindsight, I guess to take off the edge of having to be together.

My new family is all about love! God is in this family so there is no alcohol at get-togethers just food, laughter and hugs and love! What a contrast for me. Since my diagnosis in January left me with slim pickins’ at these events, I chose to just avoid them all together. I did attend a graduation this year but skipped the food afterward and opted for going home. A wedding had me missing the reception because of food. A funeral had me attending the wake but all I ate was string beans.

This year we had already missed the Easter gathering, we missed his sister’s July cookout, too. When this invitation arrived I once again was hesitant in going because I know his brother always has some good food! And the man uses spices! The rest of the family has great food mind you, but to my tastes, coming from back east, I miss the bite it takes to make a meal taste good.

I really don’t want my husband to begin resenting me for this disease. Not that he would but in MY mind, he will. So I overcame my hesitation and told him I’d like to go. He was surprised and excited at the same time because for sure he thought we’d skip this family time, too. 

Hubby had told me his mom would be bringing fruit, non-organic but fruit nonetheless. So at least I knew I’d nibble something. If it’s one thing I realize with this disease and the food available is that it is not always going to be organic. So while I eat non-organic fruits and vegetables, I limit the intake, I scrub and clean them when they’re mine, or I bypass them altogether, but I will allow a nibble or two to fill my mouth. I DO NOT allow toxic meat in my body! No Way! That could ruin everything I’m trying to accomplish here.

We arrived at the house and it was filled with that familiar sights, sound, and smell. The family (mainly hers) gathered together in laughter and the aroma of, what else in the mid-west, pork! Their idea of bar-b-que is b-b-qued pulled pork. I didn’t like pork before this illness so it really has no sway over me. Now the aroma, that’s another thing, I did love bar-b-que so the aroma had my mouth watering as soon as the smell hit my nose!

My sis-in-law said she didn’t even know that they were having a party. Her mom arrived and her hubby made a huge pot of iced tea (sugarless, blah) and she thought hmm…that’s odd, why such a big pot of tea. Then her brothers and sister and nieces came bearing food and she finally was clued into what they were up to. No one likes surprises so this was the easiest way to surprise her without saying SURPRISE!

Everyone started digging into the scrumptious meal. Spoons were clanging, ice was being dropped into cups and the festivities were underway. All the talk was about the impending Eclipse and the parties all around town and the state for that matter. Rumor has it that Harrison Ford is in Alliance, Ne. to view the eclipse and hotels are booked beyond means, more than when we have the Crane passing through. Apparently, Nebraska is the bullseye of the passing of the eclipse.

More on that later, right now this post is about food! I sat and watched as people filled their faces, gobble after gobble of unhealthy fattening foods, pork, pasta, cake, deviled eggs, more pasta, pickle wraps and there sat two fruit salads going untouched, and there sat little skinny me.  I rose to my feet, got me a plate and filled it with fruit! Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple, cantaloupe and more, I was in fruit heaven, for sure!

After everyone was just about done, I saw two of the big guys get up and dig into the fruit. A small plate considering the hefty plates they had just finished. The conversation between his, brother, sister, mother and I was about food. They were like, “Why can’t we just eat what we want?” Not directed at me, directed at weight gain in general. I said, “You CAN eat what you want, we all do.” The reply… “Yeah but without the weight gain.” I said, “Oh. I get it, you want to win a million dollars without buying a ticket?” chucklechucklechuckle, agreement all around.

That’s not how it goes people. EAT all you want but know, you HAVE to PAY for whatever you put in your mouth!  

Gotta run… Eclipse time! God bless us all!

Luke 21:25-28 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.