The Moon Told Me So
July 4, 2020
On one of my last visits with my father at the nursing home, we were sitting out in the courtyard together, and I noticed the moon in the sky. I pointed it out to him, partly because it was something different to talk about and partly because Daddy loved the outdoors and it was hell being stuck inside a nursing home, the same one where both his parents had died. I don’t even know if he could see it, but I know in my heart he always wanted to see what I was seeing and understand what I was passionate about, so I know that he may have politely pretended he could see the moon, just to connect with me.
I left the nursing home hoping that sometimes Daddy might be able to catch sight of the moon from his window. That seeing the moon would bring him hope. After that, every time I saw a full moon, I thought that’s the same moon that’s shining down on Daddy in Virginia. He could be looking at it just like I am. I liked to imagine that he was. And when I did so, I could felt connected to my father.
I walked outside tonight in the midst of the neighborhood fireworks, and there was a spectacular full moon. I said hello to my father and mother, here I am still on this earth. It was just a tiny moment of eternity, outside the routine, a holy light in the night of our despair. Thank you, moon, thank you, Mama and Daddy. Love is eternal. I know that because the moon told me so.
©2021 Joy Cunningham