Saturday, March 26, 2011

Touching Orion's Belt

It has been a very busy four plus weeks since my last post, and this will be a short one. Melissa, Hannah and I have just returned to the ranch from "Hawks Night Live" - a musical review put on by the Bozeman High School students as a benefit for Bozeman Friends of Music. (http://hawksnightlive.com/) It was a lively evening. All three of us were entertained, touched and amazed by the presentations. But that's not what I want to write about.

After we returned to the bunkhouse, I had reason to go back out to my car in the garage, a walk of about 30 yards from our door. As I stepped out into the quickly cooling night air, I noticed how many stars were close to the horizon; then I looked up...and stopped in my tracks.

I've never seen stars like I've seen tonight. The stars were brighter than I had ever seen before. Later winter stars...and they were twinkling. Orion, the hunter was so close I reached up as if I could touch his belt. Rigel was pulsing - I could even make it out its blue light. The cool air kept me from staying too long (it's funny how you can call 27ยบ cool!), but I stayed long enough to offer a prayer or two for friends and family. The stars reminded me tonight of the many, many blessings in my life and the opportunities that yet lay ahead. They reminded me of how much so many of you have shined brightly in my life.

Thank you.