Our summer fun began with a little drive to So. Utah, the day after Lucy turned seven. For "the sun festival," I told her and Spencer...
...which was a highly romanticized title for the solar eclipse event at Cedar City's rec. center.
We didn't so much go for the gripping activities as for the eclipse glasses. Which were gone by the time we got there.
But not to worry! Royce and Ryan to the rescue! We left that afternoon with a single prized pair to share.
Thus equipped for Sunday's eclipse, we played away the rest of the day.
Can't tell you how much these children loved exploring the desert.
After bedtime stories (them),
And late night political/theological discussions (us), we hit the sack, and then struck out Sunday for a quick (beautiful!) Bryce Canyon experience.
Where we succeeded in finding a few more pairs of solar glasses,
plus other necessities.
Now. Let's pause there for a minute.
The eclipse hour was drawing nigh. I was looking forward to the event as... a mildly entertaining experience? You know, to be tucked away somewhere in the "pretty cool" file of my memory.
But my anticipation was inadequate. The eclipse. was. amazing.
Completely awe inspiring.
Utterly moving.
It's not like any of us didn't know exactly what it would look like. We could have drawn out every stage before hand.
But to actually see what we knew would happen...to watch it play out, totally uncontrolled by any mortal hand...was breathtaking. I'm grateful our children got to experience something so incredible!
I'm grateful that I got to, too!
taking in the inspiring alignment of the heavens...
quick check to make sure no little eyes are burning/bodies are falling off cars/etc.
-process repeated multiple times-
And now... it's months later, and here I am trying to find words for an experience I remember but can't reproduce. Because just as anticipation cant match the reality - neither can memory.
It all seems rather symbolic to me of the many times we feel the Master's touch in our lives, the times we witness His power, and bask in His light first hand.
"O then, is not this real?" (Alma 32: 35)
And it's the reality that is breathtaking.
*thanks go to Ryan for the fun eclipse pics!
8 comments:
Fun memories. Not sure if it's just my computer but certain pictures are coming out as black bar line pictures....may just be me though....
"Because just as anticipation cant match the reality - neither can memory." Exactly! Don't know how you manage to do it, but you've put in words the feelings I didn't even quite know I had. It was really incredible; even though we knew what it "would look like", it was amazing to see the actual moment.
Beautifully put! Thanks Lori! (Lucy looks so grown up! I can hardly believe it!)
How fun! We tried watching in on our sidewalk but then a cloud parked itself over the sun for the main event. Boo. Oh well! It was still fun. And some of your pictures didn't come through.
Oh good times...def turned out better than I had anticipated. The kids still say,"Remember when we sat on top of the car with Lucy and Spencer?" Love!
Come back! Come back!!! It wasn't long enough!!! Love you and your words are perfect! Love the little Wes and little ryan sitting on the car pic!
What fun! I was looking at this and James came over then said, "Oh I know those guys!" and proceeded to name all the kids. Now he just needs to meet them all so they can be real life friends!
Wish we could have seen that/been there! Very cool!
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