I love to be under the stars when the world around me is sleeping. It’s where I find my peace and my mind is set free to ponder life uninterrupted, all while under a blanket of glimmering stars.

But with injuries and illness that sometimes gets the better of me, planned and even spontaneous nights under the stars happen far less often; and instead, waking randomly, often in discomfort, happens more frequently.

Time however, has taught me to embrace the opportunities that do arise whenever I can because nature, life itself, continually moves on and no two moments are ever exactly the same.

Three nights ago, was such a night. I was not too happy when I woke at midnight. But as always, I was compelled to look out the window above my head just to see if the stars were visible – and oh wow, the sky was full of them.

That, was that – those stars got me out of bed, coffee in hand and out the door by 12:15am. My intention was to just sit outside enjoying the peace and quiet. But as I sat down and looked up into the sky, there was Pleiades right in front of me.

Since the moon hadn’t risen yet, it sparkled against the black sky ever so beautifully and clear as a bell. I couldn’t resist and didn’t even try.  

Back in the house I gathered some gear, a heating pad, more coffee, shut down the lights and of course, I grabbed a flashlight to make sure no spiders had invaded my space since the last time, ha-ha… and I headed out for a night under the starry sky.

As I set-up and settled in our not-so-feral, feral cat, came around the house to join me, purring all the while. As he did, I had an overwhelming flood of gratitude and peace for being exactly where I was in that moment of time, under the night sky; regardless of how I got there.

As Pleiades rose higher into the sky, the Hyades Star Cluster followed close behind; and soon, Jupiter and his Galilean moons joined them rising above the hills in the distance shining so very brightly. It was gorgeous.

Mars was right behind Jupiter appearing with its distinct red hue and next came the light of the moon arching over the tree-line at the top of the hill.

It was simply surreal to watch the moon, second by second and minute by minute, showing more and more of itself as it rose up from behind the hill and illuminated the trees.

After a time, it was high in the sky joining Mars, Jupiter, The Hyades Cluster and Pleiades creating a beautiful display in the Northeastern sky.

After one last shot of the moon, I chose to turn my camera off and just sit with the cat for a while enjoying the solitude, the stunning beauty of it all, and the peace that filled the air.

What started out as an unwelcome midnight wake-up, turned into a night under the stars that I am not only grateful for, but one that I won’t soon forget.

Wishing you all the best,

Cheryl