Heavenly Observations With My Son

You know the expression, “The sky is the limit!”?  Day or night, the opportunity to observe some unusual events provided this parent with great opportunities to share information and feelings with my son.  The sky in South Florida seemed magical and endless since the topography of the area did not interfere with heavenly viewing.  Up North the topography of the hills, the mature trees combined at night with the lights of the big cities, often blocked out viewing meteorological and man made events. Venus was so bright and seemed so close that many times even in the North, I would contemplate if it was some sort of satellite or space capsule suspended in the night sky observing us, or we they.  Maybe that might be a little paranoia left over from the Cold War!  Sometimes the gifted son would remind me that Venus appeared even more special because of the non interference of the topography and landscaping.

Living in South Florida during the shuttle missions era provided some opportunities for my son and I to enjoy some unusual moments.  He came up with the practical idea of using the patio lounge chairs so that we could lie down and observe without getting creaks in our neck.  Thanks to NASA, we always had some warning as to the launch of a shuttle or the landing.  When weather permitted, my son and I could set up during the prior moments and position our chairs in the proper direction.  We saw at least two spectacular launches when both of us were off from school or work, depending.  Once or twice during the day (no cloud interference), but the most spectacular, at night (no cloud interference).  When NASA launched a shuttle at night, it was the most unbelievable fireworks display even though we lived hundreds of miles from the launch pad and South, on the opposite side of the state!  The booster rocket was a giant fireball which could be viewed for minutes until it fell from the shuttle as the shuttle left the earth’s atmosphere.  During the daylight launch, the fireball initially was spectacular but the smokey trail as the shuttle climbed was somehow even more mesmerizing.

My son and I observed meteor showers and the northern lights as well as a couple of comets and a couple of eclipses during the years.   He taught me to look at the clouds and the magnificent colors of the sunsets, because he loved to study and observe weather and space.   I always felt more connected to God at those moments, because it gave me some quiet time when I could put things in perspective and I think in a way, that’s what an effect it had on my son, too.

I’d like to think that I influenced my son with the love of the sky, because when he was young enough to understand, I purchased the naming of a star for him.  I continued the tradition in an odd way this year when my son and lovely daughter-in-law were about to celebrate their first anniversary.  Paper is not an easy guide for giving.  Searching the internet for a paper gift that would make them happy and me too, I found a site where they reproduced the night sky of someone’s honeymoon location.  Fabulous!  The tradition continues and grows in meaning!