The Moons of Jupiter

JUPITER AT ITS BEST: Tonight, Sept. 20-21, Earth and Jupiter converge for their closest encounter in decades. The giant planet will soar across the sky at midnight, outshining everything except the Moon itself. Although big, bright Jupiter will remain close to Earth for weeks to come, tonight is the closest of all. (From Spaceweather.com)


Last night I sighted Jupiter... so pretty, hiding there in plain sight as if she is just another star. When viewed through even my cheap old telescope (especially now, while Jupiter is so close) you realize that sparkling prick of light is not a star, but a sister to our Earth. So I took my scope over to Mike's cottage and showed Mike & Vicky too... and they seemed pleased and impressed to view the planet and four of its moons, miraculously circling their home planet. And off to the east of Jupiter was our own moon, not quite full but brilliant in the light from our sun which had set four hours prior.

It all made me wonder... where will I be... where will they be... what will life be like in twelve years when Jupiter comes this close again? Will they remember this night with me? Will they remember their younger selves, merely 29 & 30, peering up at the planet over Mike's cottage... a cottage which will, most certainly, no longer exist twelve years from now if Mike's plans come to fruition. Will they remember these sweet romantic days of their courtship when hanging at his summer cottage relieved their city-dwelling stresses? Are they embedding these cool September nights into their memories, to warm them into their old age when children - who have not yet even been conceived - will tickle their hearts as they tickle mine?

Every day, every moment, every experience hangs like smoke in the air, waiting to be dispersed by whatever wind of change may blow. It is all so brief and tenuous... all of everything we see and do. Twelve years ago I could not possibly have foreseen myself, as I am now... Twelve years ago my sons were barely even men at only 16, 17, and 18. Twelve years ago I was merely 42, married and in love, although still trying to figure out how to really get along as a couple. I never thought to see today. I never imagined what time might do to each of us.

In twelve years hence as Jupiter pulls close to our Earth again, will I be here? Will I still be interested in peering at her moons? Will my children's children be clustered at my side, pushing to have a turn to see what the heaven's hold? Will I have the chance to share more spectacularly, splendidly, divinely humble and inconsequential moments like last night with the people I love? And will I remember that I did? And will they?

My heart soars as I open an email from Mike only a moment ago.

"thanks for the jupiter moons, really cool to see!"

How very sweet to think that we may have shared a moment in time that will last forever in our hearts...