On a winter night, in a year without snow, under a starry sky, the protagonist of my life story sat in his car, lights off, listening to the radio before going in for the evening. He was blasting some classic rock song that came on as he was driving home, but was far from finished by the time he pulled in the driveway. Warm lights glowed from his home and he knew his wife was in there with the trusty cats. Listening to the music of his youth put him in a reflective mood. He decided to enjoy the last few verse/choruses of the rock anthem before going into his warm, quiet home.
As the music played, he suddenly became aware that across the street, the Big Dipper was standing on end above and beyond his neighbors garage. At first, he hadn’t noticed the famous asterism because it was in such an odd position. But there it was. He loved to look at the stars since he was a child.
Eventually the song ended. He shut off the engine and stepped out of the toasty car into the quiet cold of the Winter night.
Before going into his warm home and bed, he looked up at the dazzling heavens one last time.
And reflected on the Love that moves the sun and other stars.
copyright 2019 Christopher Donahue