Magnificent Desolation

This week I sat at the Space and Rocket Museum.
I leaned back in my seat and held hands with my kids.
The IMAX screen covered the sky above us and took us to the moon.
It was called Magnificent Desolation.
As in, "Beautiful, beautiful, magnificent desolation." - Ed Aldrin.
That is what he said when he landed on the moon.
Everywhere - nothing. Desolation.
Magnificently close.
Charmingly serene.
Dangerous adventure.
Mighty dream.
Children were interviewed. They wanted to go to the moon too.
Everyone wanted to go - astronauts, presidents, kids, neighbors.
Everyone in the film wanted to go there.
Except one.
One child was asked and said no.
Why?
"Because I'm scared of heights."
Me too. Or, in this case, me neither.
I sat there in the movie about dreams and thought, I don't want to go to the moon.
I thought how far away and how scary and how high and how dangerous.
I thought with gratitude about the people who went there,
tried to go there,
helped others go there.
I thought what an amazing, life altering, world changing thing it is to walk on the moon.
And how it belonged to someone else to dream that dream.
I thought, "I'll never do that. That isn't my job here."
In that same moment, I found myself squeezing tighter the hands of my little ones.
I thought, "This is my job here."
It is my job here to give flight to their dreams.
It is my job now to help them feel inspired.
And it is my job to dream for myself.
What magnificent desolation lies before me?
What great empty landscape fills my dreams?
What is it that looks like nothing to someone else,
but is stark raving beauty in my eyes?
Some great place to plant my flag.
My heart started filling up with love.
I am not needed on the moon - it belongs to others.
I am needed right here, to hold hands, and rub backs, and read and laugh.
And not just with these two dear ones -
But all those I am blessed to call dear to me.
This week was full of that love.
Dinner night with Jen & Kristin - cherished time.
Gathering around Saralyn's kitchen bar for breakfast.
Time spent with Jill at her home and at the side of her pool.
An early jog while the clouds still covered the sleeping mountains.
Sharing table with my parents and my kids.
Teaching a class on the playground with some of my favorite kids -
about church history of all things!
Dining on the patio at Moe's with dear friends and their kids…
Then taking in a summer movie together, sharing snacks and laughter.
Bowling and grilling with Larry, Crissy, and the kids.
All around me great love and good sharing.
A sense of being needed and a chance to need others.
My heart is light. My spirit is happy. God is good.
For old friends, for new ones -
For growing children and times gone by -
For stories around the table, for heart songs -
Deep, deep gratitude.
The moon? Just green cheese compared to the rocking of my own world.

Well, I'd like to visit the moon
On a rocket ship high in the air.
Yes, I'd like to visit the moon,
But I don't think I'd like to live there.
Though I'd like to look down at the earth
From above,
I'd miss all the places
and people I love,
So although I might like it for one afternoon,
I don't want to live on the moon…
So if I should visit the moon,
Well, I'll dance on a moonbeam, and then
I will make a wish on a star,
And I'll wish I was home once again.
Though I'd like to look down at the earth from above,
I would miss all the places
And people I love
So although I may go,
I'll be coming home soon,
'Cause I don't want to live on the moon.
No, I don't want to live on the moon.
- Ernie, from Sesame Street

In Wisdom,
Brandi Calhoun Diamond