It was an absolutely gorgeous day and we were at Kennywood, I had just been through an emotionally exhausting and stressful couple of meetings the night before and that morning. There were and are some things looming that weigh heavily on my mind (nothing earth shattering, just burdensome). We had only been there a short time when Joe, Bella, and Rachel got on the Bayern Kurve (thing fast circles). I kindly sat out that vomitous piece of amusement misery. I was in yet another beautiful moment in the sun.
There was Rachel and Bella sharing a car together. Rachel was holding onto Bella so she could cover her ears from the loud horn. They were both smiling in a wonderfully stressed manner. Not stressed at each other for this moment but in trying to survive the ride. There was a joy there that shined radiantly. They were beautiful. Ten cars behind them was Joe. On the first several laps he was pretending to be afraid because that’s what cool 13 year old studs do. Then his face got serious as, well, it became a bit concerning for him. He wasn’t cool, he was just hanging on for dear life…it was beautiful, in another kind of way.
I stood there and smiled. This, this is life. Nobody was fighting, nobody was sick, nobody was burdened, it was family joy. A very sweet moment in time to enjoy the blessing that each of us are to each other. We were able to share the beauty that life is if but for one short moment in the sun.
Moments in the sun are just that, moments. They are not forever and more often than not they are not all that long. Where we live that is true both literally and figuratively but in this case I mean it more as a metaphor for life. They are to be enjoyed, embraced, made permanent in our memories, and treasured for the gift that they are. However, all of that is only possible if you can perceive them in the first place.
You see, some people just see clouds. Whether it be as a result of a series of bad things, one horrific event, or way too many hurts from earlier in life, there are those who are mired in darkness. No, it’s not pitch black. It’s just a cloudy heaviness. Anxiety, depression, moodiness, call it what you want, it’s not fun. Worse yet, they know that the light exists, they have at one time or another felt the sunshine, they are even aware that a moment should bring them joy but it does not. In a way, good times compounds the bad feelings since they know that they are feeling the opposite of what they should.
For those who get to experience their moments in the sun it is imperative to remember those stuck in the muck and mire of life. Feeling alone in your pain is the worst kind of alone there is. While a ton of attention is not what is needed or desired, an acknowledgement and/or quick communication does wonders. It can be an email, text, fb message, old school card or letter, smile, wave, whatever you do to bring company to those mired in sadness is a good thing. No judgement, no fix its, no telling them how to or not to feel, is needed. Just love and joining them if but for a moment in their pain.
Enjoy the sunshine, embrace the moments, savor those special times you get to have. However, remember those who aren’t in the same place you are right now. Take time to love those who can just see clouds.