This really IS the view from my front porch. Sweet, huh?

Thursday, November 22, 2012

# 42


A few months ago Ricky and I met up with some friends and spent the night watching the best meteor shower I’ve ever experienced.  On a retired blueberry farm located in the Ozark Mountains, far away from city lights we circled our lawn chairs and positioned our cameras for the show.  There were so many meteors falling from every direction.  The six of us sat, each looking toward the sky saying “There’s one.”, “Did you see that one?”, “There’s another one.” etc.  To satisfy our curiosity, but mainly just for the fun of it, we decided to count the number of meteors we saw in one hour starting at 11:00 p.m. As streaks fell across the sky, one by one we heard “1… 2… 3… 4...” like a song from a great symphony, usually from a solo voice but sometimes in two or three part harmony.  They were averaging one a minute and the whole experience was quite amazing.  But the highlight of the night was #42.  When this light fell it was seen by all!  I don’t remember which was louder, the one word drawn out as we southerners do so well – “WOW!!!!“ or six voices shouting at once “42!!” It was a night I will never forget.  Since that night there have been other opportunities for night gazing and, while we have seen other falling stars, there has yet to be another # 42. 

This got me to thinking…
First - How can anyone look into the pitch black of night viewing diamond-like gems sparkling at a distance that looks as if you could reach out and touch them, yet realizing they are light-years away, and not sing praises the God of All Creation?  Just lying back staring into the vast expanse is one of the most relaxing things I know to do.


Second - God’s wonders can be experienced at the same time in all places – just like His presence can be, too.  At the same time that we were seeing # 42 in Arkansas, Elizabeth, my oldest daughter, could see it in Tennessee.  God's blessings are not limited by time or space. 

Third – Not every meteor shower contains a # 42.  Those times are special gifts from God and are to be cherished.  And I am so thankful that I got to, not only experience # 42, but share it with a special group of friends.



Today is Thanksgiving and as I am cooking and making preparations to spend time with family I am reflecting on all the # 42s I have in my life.  I’ve refrained from participating in the 30 days of Thanksgiving for fear of leaving someone/something important out, but I have SO MUCH to be thankful for!
The brightest, shining star in my life has to be FAMILY, not only my immediate family of Ricky and our three beautiful girls, but EVERYONE that we call “Family”.  If you are a McCarley, Schmatjen, Pitts, married to one of these, or the child of one of these you are family.  If you are a member of the Donald D. Davis Family or the Bill Milam Family, you have welcomed, accepted and loved us as one your own and we call you family.  If you are a member of Lamar Baptist Church, you are family.  And there’s even my “Sisters of the Traveling Snake Boots” who continually share their knowledge, love and excitement for God’s creation, capturing it in images to share with others through a passion that has bonded us known as photography.

I extend to you all a sincere wish for a Happy Thanksgiving.  May the day be full of blessings and reflections upon all God has done for you and those you love.  I remind you to cherish the moments you have with your special ones for we are not guaranteed tomorrow but nothing can take from us the memories we hold in our hearts.

Now… back to the kitchen… (sigh)…