I’m assuming that unless you have been living under a rock for the past few months, the today’s solar eclipse did not take you by surprise. I can only imagine what it would be like for someone who had no idea it was coming, especially that last ten minutes prior to and throughout totality. I can understand how something like that could greatly cause concern in an unsuspecting person or animals.
I was not one of those who didn’t care about it, but I was also not one who would have spent money and time to travel to see it. Since it was available for free viewing in my own backyard, I thought it was something I should witness. I remember a few weeks ago having a meal with my family and my dad and brother-in-law were talking about it didn’t mean anything to them and they probably would work right through it. They didn’t know why everyone was so excited about it. I don’t remember chiming in, just because it isn’t my thing, doesn’t meant I wouldn’t jump at the chance to see something else that was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I try to live with the ‘to each their own’ mentality and not kill someone else’s joy.
When I decided to take the day off, I decided to try to do something special to make it a memorable thing. So, I thought if I furnished lunch for my parents and sister and went to the farm and took some viewing glasses, the four of us could watch it together and it would be a nice memory. I told them to invite their friends and we could cook on the grill and have a nice time outside. I soon learned that my mom was one of those who couldn’t care less, but we could come if we wanted to. Then she mentioned needing to clean her house and she couldn’t do much but would make a dessert. Then I started feeling guilty for putting a burden on my mom for something she didn’t even want to do. And knowing her, she would have to clean the house and go to a lot of trouble. I decided that we could just do it at my house. So, my sister and I asked some of our friends and made some plans. Paula was bringing Star Crunch and Moon Pies, and I was cooking burgers. We had viewing glasses for everyone; and we would have a good time. I told Mom we would just do it at my house, and she wouldn’t have to worry about it.
The next day I get a message from Mom asking what time she should be there and telling me what all she was bringing. I 100% thought she didn’t want anything to do with it.
I worked this weekend some getting things ready, and at 11:30 today the burgers were on the grill and people started showing up. We sat in the yard, eight of us. Yes, my mom, dad and brother-in-law were all there. We took turns checking on the progress, and when the purple martins started getting loud and the light started noticeably changing, the men decided to join us at the back of the yard, behind the shade trees, and started viewing through their glasses occasionally, when we weren’t watching them. As soon as it hit totality, my dad said, “That’s pretty cool,” and my brother-in-law agreed. I don’t remember much after that, because I was in awe myself. I made an effort to listen to the birds because they were the only wildlife I had the opportunity to witness. They continued to be vocal, but they stilled and quietened. As soon as the light started to come up again, they all became active again.
I think what amazed me the most was how much light there was when only the tiniest sliver of the sun was exposed, and then how much light the corona put out. Of the seven of us, three of us couldn’t have cared less about the eclipse, be we all sat at the back of the yard and watched it together, along with millions of others. We will always remember this day, who we were with, and where we were when the April 8, 2024, solar eclipse happened. I’m happy I got to share it with some of the most special people in my life, whether they wanted to see it or not. They got the memory anyway 😊
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