The Beckoning Sun…
Ok, out with it… I was born in the 1950s as an only child to much older parents who had been “trying” for years to have a bundle of joy. Ta dah! Apparently I (finally) received the message and made my appearance on planet earth. Not too many years thereafter, my father died and I became the sun in my mother’s life. A perk of being the sun in someone’s life is the belief that all the planets (also known as people) revolve around you. And they did. And I took it for granted that they did. I mean, I was the sun, what else were those planets going to do but revolve around me?
I was spoiled. There was no negative intent in creating this condition-truly. My condition was a result of deep love and a desire for all the best directed toward this late-in-life only child who was also fatherless very early on. Cocooned in deep caring and over-protection to avoid more loss. It was what I knew, and yes, came to expect from others.
And my young expectations of life? As the sun, the attention of others would be directed toward me. Fortunately, (oh so fortunately!), I had a budding desire to be a social worker and learned some rudimentary listening skills as a youngster. (I tell you, though, those listening skills were also a wonderful way to garner attention from others!)
And, now, a great oversimplification. For the most part, my expectation was that others would be interested in my life. Hearing or asking about the lives of others just never occurred to me. I was the sun, after all, and people turned their faces and attention to me.
Continuing to breathe deeply as I unspool this story…
Somewhere along in my life’s evolving journey, I began to realize I wasn’t really the sun, but another planet riding around that shining orb. Riding in tandem with, or in opposition to, all these other bodies held in thrall by the universe. And we ALL mattered. My orbit often impacted another planet’s and vice versa. Knowing more about another planet’s orbit could save both our lives, or bring us greater understanding about ourselves from the light of the sun. I wanted to know more about all these heavenly orbs sharing space and gravity with me and how our paths impacted each other’s life trajectories.
Offering gratitude for the beckoning sun that casts its gleams on all of us. All of us. Yes, I’m sad for the life stories I missed over the years when I mistakenly thought I was the sun and only my light mattered. I do feel, however, as if I’m making up for lost time by consistently inviting in the stories of other planetary bodies (AKA as people) with whom I share the universe.
‘Tis the season, yes, but please remember that each person in our orbit has a different story to share this time of year. Some are difficult and lonely, others are joyous. Let’s each bring the gift of presence and listening to the seasonal darkness we collectively inhabit. Each of us can be a light in someone else’s life. Small, blinking maybe, but still a light.
❤️Please consider sharing with others. Who couldn’t use more heart and humor?