Sunday, November 3, 2013

Eclipsatarian



Do I like daylight savings time or standard time better? Either one is fine; the switching back and forth is what bothers me. I have jet lag and I haven't even gone anywhere.

I do enjoy light in the morning. Rising when it's still pitch black can seem a little creepy, at least to me. This morning's light featured a partially eclipsed sun rising an hour earlier than it did yesterday. Quite dramatic. Of course the weather cooperated. It's blustery and partially cloudy. The clouds are gray, pink and gold. The trees, festooned in their beautiful mid-fall colors, are waving around, leaves are falling like gold or red snow from some of them. Others are still hanging on tight.

It feels eclipsish even though I didn't get to see it. I should know - I was born at a dark moon, four hours before a solar eclipse. I feel them especially, maybe because I entered life in the midst of this type of astronomy.

I followed the voices of the ancestors yesterday, went down to the Library of Congress to read the Yizkor memory book from my family's shtetl, but the Hebraic section is only open on weekdays. I'm going first thing tomorrow morning.

The only thing I know of these people, my father's ancestors, is exactly when and where and how they were killed. The incredible gift of the Yizkor book translation is that I'll be able to read memories of the living town before the Holocaust. I am so excited. L'chaim!

Now the overcast has blown out of the sky. I guess Brother Sun and the moon needed some privacy during their eclipse. Well, ok then. The sun is back at full illumination and the moon is brand new. It's a good feeling. Onwards into Sunday.

Shalom.


4 comments:

Steve Reed said...

I agree with you on light in the morning -- it makes a difference, rising with the sun vs. rising in darkness!

Anonymous said...

I hope your research gives you further leads into your family and their origins Reya. So important as part of our respect, acknowledgement and love...and yes, we hurt for them too in the circumstances they found themselves.
Aspects of this research are very obvious in family ancestry programs here - we have two, our own and a British one. I am always fascinated by what is eventually revealed to the participants who are both excited and wary about what is to come. Happiness, disappointment, sadness, elation - all there.
I wish you all the best with your research.

Wayne said...

Beautiful autumn photos. I agree - there is nothing worse than going to work in the dark and leaving in the dark. I do love the snuggly feel that comes with it though!

Reya Mellicker said...

I love fall and I don't mind the long nights, not only because of the snuggle factor, but also because I know it won't last forever. Spring will be here before I know it.

This is one of the great things about growing old.