I live less than two hours from the much talked about path of totality of the eclipse here in Ohio. People who are in the know about eclipses will tell you that witnessing a total eclipse is a life changing experience. It sounds amazing for a nature lover and it will be two decades before our country sees another one like it.
And guess what?
I did not go see it.
This would have required taking the day off work, choosing a place to go, maybe fighting some traffic and possibly doing all that only to stand beneath a cloud or a street light that would come on at totality. Plus, I really needed to stay and work.
I didn’t have it in me to figure it out. And then when I came up with a plan, it still sounded like too much to deal with.
So I worked from home and saved my lunch break to experience 97 percent totality from the quiet of my own back yard.
First, I watched CBS news coverage of totality moving through Texas where day turned to night and a hush fell over the world. It was pretty cool.
In my yard, the warm, sunny day became overcast and cool. Rather than become quiet, the birds became louder as the moon moved into the sun’s path.
When I came back in, totality was hitting Niagara Falls and the correspondent on tv was in tears. I listened as she described this dazzling, awe inspiring experience. In that moment, she and many others were living their very best lives.
And I was at home watching it on tv.
It was then that I remembered that it’s not always possible to live our very best life and that being sad about that truth isn’t something I want to do.
I will always regret the adventures I don’t take. The road not taken, the next room in the museum, the bend in the trail, the eclipse not seen. Unfortunately, regrets will take us nowhere. Instead, it’s probably best to use those regrets to fuel the next adventure, the one after that and the one after that.
The good news is that I’m starting to put some adventures on the 2024 calendar and that this unused PTO day will help me go somewhere else. And when you think about it like that, the promise of another day eclipses what was lost on Monday.
Muncie and Anderson were right in the path of totality. I watched about twenty minutes on either side from just outside my office. It was absolutely as awe-inspiring as everyone said on the news! What was nearly as unbelievable was how choked the streets were. Traffic was insane!
I’m glad you got to witness this historic event and that you found it so exciting!
I saw the eclipse in 2017. The college where I worked was in the path of totality. The college made a day of it. While I greatly enjoyed it, it wasn’t life changing – at least for me. I already appreciate the natural world – just like you do. We viewed yesterday’s eclipse from Gulf State Park – which wasn’t in the path of totality. We had camping reservations in the path of totality, but the CG cancelled our reservation. They had tornado damage and wouldn’t be open. By that time, we couldn’t find another place. So, we made the best of it and stayed longer at Gulf state park which we love. We enjoyed seeing the partial eclipse at Gulf. I wouldn’t fret too much over this regret of yours. You will still have lived a full life even if you missed 3% of yesterday’s eclipse!
Sounds like a fun time! I would have liked to see totality but it will be ok. If I start planning now maybe I can have my act together for the 2045 eclipse! Lol.
I watched from my back deck. It was neat, but it was not life changing.
Haha. I have heard people say that it was and others who didn’t think it was that great. To each his own!
Lucky me, I witnessed it from my backyard here in Texas, and it was awe-inspiring!
That’s awesome! I’m so glad the weather cooperated and you got to see it!
It’s not something I get too excited about. Just the universe doing its thing: moon around earth, earth around sun. I won’t go out of my way, but if it’s convenient, I’ll take a gander. My brother in Cleveland enjoyed it from his front yard. Enjoy whatever adventure you find time for!😊
For me, the excitement would be experiencing a mid-day moment when day becomes night. Oh well. Onward and upward!!! There are other adventures to be had!
What is surprising is how even a full annular eclipse doesn’t produce that effect. Even that teensy bit of sun showing around the moon and it still is daylight out. Star power!
Right! We were at 97 percent and it was still super bright out. Nature is amazing.
I traveled to the totality zone with my family – it was a pretty amazing thing to see! I’m sorry you didn’t get to go but I’m glad to hear you have some other adventures planned!
I’m glad you had that experience! I was sad in the moment but am good with it now!! There’s always 2045. lol.