It’s Almost Time

It’s Sunday morning, the day before the eclipse passes over DiscoveryParkOhio. We’ll be hosting about a dozen families in Tipi Village, many with kids. As they sat around the campfire last night, waiting for the twinkling stars to reveal their brilliance in a clear sky, I kept wondering about the impact this eclipse will have on their life. Will they someday tell their children and even grandchildren “I saw the eclipse of 2024. I remember it vividly!”

There are events that are seared into our minds forever. I still remember my first date with Kay, who would soon become my wife. I knew instantly she was a gem that I wanted to share my life with. When I now reminisce with my son and daughter about our adventures together as a family, I am shocked at how much I have forgotten. I remember the big things, but the smaller everyday things get buried. It’s not an Alzheimer’s issue, it’s just the volume of life I have experienced.

Your life is also rushing by! Soon those little daily memories will be stuffed away and maybe lost. “What profound statement did little Jimmie say at the dinner table last night?” We need to capture these moments soon after they happen, while the details are still vivid.

I would encourage you to start writing a journal. Maybe start today or tomorrow, eclipse day. In the evening, before bed, shut off the computer, TV, and cell phone. Grab a blank book and reflect on your day. Don’t just make a list of what happened. Write what you felt, what frustrated you. Write about family interactions, insights, funny things.

Don’t look back at previous pages. Focus on the now. Don’t worry about perfect sentences or spelling. There are no judgements or awards for best journal. Go deep. Try for 30 sentences. Surely your life was significant enough today to write at least that much. Maybe a sketch would capture the special moment. Did you study the squirrel sitting on the back porch railing?

Someday you will treasure these journals. On a quiet, rainy day, you’ll pull one out and take a mental time travel vacation. You’ll look back and see the adventure that you have lived and spot those key moments that changed you.

When the moon lets the sun peek out again, think of it as a new chapter in your life has started. Historically, there are many records of people not understanding why the earth went dark in the middle of the day. They sensed it was a big turning point. Maybe something momentous was about to happen. Is this a turning point in your life?

Just for the record, this newsletter is about 40 sentences long. I tend to write long sentences though. Make a journal part of your routine. Get the whole family involved. Maybe it can be the last thing we do before bed. Wind the day down by writing it down. Tomorrow we can start with a fresh slate, ready for the day’s adventures!

It’s Fun Being a Kid Again!