I love the smell of freshly mowed grass. It reminds me of summertime – carefree days walking around barefooted, lemonade stands, warm starry nights and returning home burnt to a crisp and smelling of coconut oil after hours at the pool.
Screech! That was A LONG TIME AGO – before I was responsible for keeping the lights on or signing a payroll check. Someone else cuts the lawn now. To hide from the extra 10 pounds chasing me, I run – not walk – wearing shoes on my soft feet. I pay a couple dollars to the kids selling lemonade but don’t drink it because of its high sugar content. I fall asleep early before the moon is even visible in the night sky. While my kids are at the pool, I am sitting at my desk wondering if they remembered the sunscreen. I think I live a pretty balanced life, but I try to be intentional about stopping to enjoy the many splendors nature offers us, free of charge.
A few weeks ago, I heard a report about an upcoming supermoon; the report predicted that it could be quite a sight if the cloud cover was in agreement. Reading about the supermoon online, the vote was split as to the wonder-level. It is just a bit closer, after all. Despite the naysayers, I decided it was going to be spectacular.
As the sun sank and the birds left the feeders for the nightly safety of the bushes in my backyard, I took off my shoes and walked barefooted in the grass. The first stars were appearing and the clouds had departed, as if to show their support of the event. I decided not to look up for the next 20 minutes; instead, I studied the earth around my feet and appreciated the nighttime sounds.
I closed my eyes and lifted my head, cupping my hands around my face so that I would see nothing but the night sky. When I opened my eyes, the supermoon took up all the space between my hands and I gasped. The nighttime sounds seemed to pause in respect of the moon’s closeness to us. For just a few seconds, it was just me and the moon – I was overcome with joy at the gift of this supermoon, presented to anyone who chose to take a moment and simply gaze.
– Becky Sharpe, President & CEO
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