a night time story

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Driving home from Soldotna Friday night I was fiddling with the radio, trying to expand my music repertoire beyond my favorite playlist titled, “recently added songs that I like.” I went through a variety of stations, hip hop, classic country, Russian, oldies but was having difficultly finding something that fit my mood. I slowly forgot about the music, wandering into my thoughts and the starry sky.

The drive to Kasilof was nice with so few lights, the crisp pitch-black night and a sky doused in vibrant silver flecks of light. As much as I admire the moon, it was nice to see the full brightness of the stars shining, with out interruption. I was in awe of nature once again, trying to figure out a way to capture everything that moment encompassed. All of a sudden, something in the east caught my eye, distracting me from my thoughts. There is not usually light in that direction, as Soldotna was north of me. Then my heart started racing as I realized what it might be. I immediately pulled over, turned the car off and stepped outside to get a better look. And there they were dancing above me, the northern lights!  I don’t know how long I stood there in awe of natures light display. This is not the first time I’ve seen them, but I was giddy as all could be.

Sometimes I wonder why I am so madly, and undeniably in love with nature. How it is one of the few things that gets my heart racing, and also makes me feel so serene, inspired and simply grateful. I often stare out the window at work longing to be on the beach watching the sky painting itself with the colors of the setting sun. Or on the mornings when I drive through the magical mist, trying to imagine anything more beautiful. Nature is so pure. Every minute of every hour of every day, nature does what she’s intended to do, her very best. It reminds me of this quote: The sun, with all those planets revolving around it, and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes like it has nothing else in the universe to do:: Galileo.