Amongst Billions of Stars

I drove for hours late at night on a pitch black forest highway in Northern California. I rarely saw another car and passed very few inhabited areas. There was no radio signal and the silence was palpable.

The crisp, cool, mountain air was fresh and invigorating. I often rolled my windows down to breathe it in and feel it upon my skin. I was easily distracted by the billions of bright stars and galaxies shining incredibly bright all around me. The moon was so bright and large it stunned me when I first saw it just above the mountains. The experience felt surreal at times and the intrigue didn't wear off no matter how much I took it all in.

I stopped the car on a remote dirt road and got out to give my full attention to the night sky. I was standing in what felt like the middle of layers upon layers of billions of stars. I lifted my arms to the sky and said, "Thank you". The thought hit me, I am part of this miraculous creation. Here I stand right in the middle of it all - there could be no other explanation. I was awestruck as I stared at the amazing night sky, breathing the crisp mountain air that soothed my soul while considering the miracle of my existence.

I wanted to capture what I was seeing. I wanted to keep the feeling. I wanted THIS feeling to last to see me through my darkest hours. The moment provided relief for my aching heart, and even further energized my incredible zest for life.

Moments like this can't be "kept", but they can be added to our memory, shared and savored. Even when I can't see the stars, they are there. Even when I don't feel the air to my core, it is there. Even when I don't feel miraculous, beautiful or valued, I am here and a part of it all, amongst the stars. Layers upon layers of billions of stars, and me.