Tonight, as I sat outside and gazed up at the almost starless blue- gray night sky, my thoughts drifted off to childhood days, and those long summer nights that were never wasted. Each magical night spent out in the moonlight with millions of stars twinkling above me remains forever a part of who I am.

On those long ago summer nights, the sky wore a jet black dress covered in millions of stars that twinkled like diamonds. Tall, loblolly pines stretched hungrily towards the sky. Their shadows cast long arms across the grassy yard. Some nights, I’d just gaze up through their branches into the depths of that sea of stars and wonder what mysteries our universe held. On occasion, my dad would join me. We’d sit out on the front porch steps or on the trunk of our Pontiac, and he’d paint wonderful stories as he pointed out stars, constellations, and far-away planets.

Those summer nights felt free and easy. No cares, no fears, just the night sounds of crickets chirping, locusts sawing their noisy tunes, and my siblings and I running free. Back then,  freedom came easy, and simplicity was its name. Experiencing simple joys was second nature, so we just took it for granted that it would always be so. I loved having the freedom to run through the darkness of our yard, dodging trees as we chased little flashing fairies. Sometimes, we caught them and put them in jars. Then their magic would light up our room at night. 

So, tonight, under a bluish gray, not so dark night sky, I gazed up at the big dipper and a bright full moon… and in that moment, I drifted back to that precious time and place where only the happy memories dwell. Memories I will always treasure and remember well.

So, as you drift to sleep tonight, I wish you all the blessing of happy memories, too.

S.k.E