1960’s – being awakened by Dad in the middle of the night to tiptoe outside in our pajamas and robes. Peering through his precious telescope at some phase of the moon, a night of shooting stars, a constellation visible in that season’s overhead sky, or Neil Armstrong making his one small step for mankind.
1980’s – Bald Mountain, late on a cooling September evening. Watching the shimmering apricot-gold harvest moon rise to fill the eastern sky. Knowing the Ancients worshipped the same mystical sphere countless moons ago.
1990’s – my niece, Ann, visiting from Chicago on a frigid, clear January night. The three of us walking up the hill to Chautauqua Park to watch the lunar eclipse against the backdrop of the eastern plains. Too cold to stay; too mesmerized to leave.
2009 – three-year-old Raquellia as we were cuddling to sleep, “Mima, let’s get up tonight to see La Luna.”
At 3am she sat straight up in bed, shook us awake, “Mima! Papa! La Luna, La Luna” and led us outdoors to receive La Luna’s blessing.
bemuzin 
Comments on: "L is for La Luna" (47)
It’s lovely to hear your memories of your dad – he sounds amazing.
Eileen @ In My Playroom (also doing the A to Z Challenge)
Thanks, Eileen. Yes, I am very fortunate to have had so many years with my very special Dad. He will be 89 this year, bravely surviving a cancer diagnosis and treatment 5 years ago, and still plays golf! He and Mom live a simple life and take life’s lumps with humor and resolve.
Thank You for sharing these memories. La Luna seems Spanish. In French they say, La lune. Lovely post!!
Hi – thank you for visiting:-) Yes La Lune is Spanish – as anyone with a young granddaughter knows from her love affair with Dora the Explorer who is bilingual 🙂 Our magical, mystical moon is lovely in any language.
Another wonderful post, thanks for sharing x
🙂 I missed you yesterday. Isn’t that funny how attached we’ve all gotten during A to Z? We will have withdrawals in May if everyone stops posting daily!! Hope you were doing something fun!
Ah that’s sweet, I know what you mean, I was ok because I still got to read your blog! I think I’m going to try and post daily or at least most days after the a to z. I want our chats to continue!! I had the day with hubby and my daughter, we don’t very often get a day together so it was lovely….although I did a lot of ironing as well, lol 😉
It’s good to unplug once in awhile. I don’t think I’ll try to post every day, but I will definitely read every day 🙂
oooh yes, I’ll be reading all the time! Found some awesome blogs and people through blogging 😉 🙂
Oh wow that’s amazing I love the moon but have missed all of those you sound very spiritual too 🙂 huggles x
Justine – you nut. You’re on hols; go play or gaze at the moon or something 🙂 You are right, certain nature triggers are very inspirational for me, and I am spiritual and a Christian without adhering to a specific church’s dogma. I have my own beliefs.
🙂 oh don’t worry I’m typing and reading whilst doing my back which I enjoy and jacking fun also just been to the beach and guess what!? Lolol my son zentangled in the sand haha he just did it heh I took a pic! Quite basic but fun!
Ooh I wish I was there – I would zentangle with my feet by walking patterns in the sand! Can’t wait to see your pic! HUGS
Lovely thoughts and photos of Earth’s ghostly twin!
The moon fascinates me endlessly, and is often prominently featured in my stories. 🙂
Kirsten – my sis-in-law used to work labor/delivery at the hospital, and without fail the full moon brought a surge of deliveries every month. Uncanny but true about the lunar effect on us. I look forward to catching up with your stories in the months ahead.
I’m always the one saying ‘look at the moon, look at the moon’ – it’s beauty is alluring but the wonder of knowing “Ancients worshipped the same mystical sphere countless moons ago” is my greatest attraction to it. – What wonderful memories
Thank you for your thoughts. To me, the moon is one of our most tangible connections to our past and future. I have been so rewarded to see my granddaughter’s awareness because of our early attempts to teach her about its magic. The moon also connects me to friends/family/ and deployed troops on a nightly basis – it is a true touchstone.
*like*
Lots…
🙂 thank you!
Great timing since there is an eclipse tonight. I have always been fascinated by La Luna.
I know!! I couldn’t believe it when I saw the notice about the eclipse!! It was a sign (as I love to say!).
Great post. What wonderful memories you have.
Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com
Thank you, Deb! Your visits and words are so encouraging.
Reminds me of the movie ‘Moonstruck.’ “La luna, look at la belle luna!” Loved that movie. 🙂
Oh Carrie – thank you!! I did not remember that line, and I can just see Cher saying that in her melodious voice. One of our granddaughter’s nicknames is BellaBoo. Now I’m going to have to watch that movie again 🙂
I haven’t seen it in a while either. Time to revisit it. I love Nicholas Cage in it.
Two thumbs up on Nicholas. And Olympia Dukakis. And, oh shoot, who was the other guy – OH just thought of him Danny Aiello. Well now I’ve gotta see it!!!
Perfect! What fantastic memories…while not for the moon, I remember being woken up one night to see Haley’s Comet from a friend’s yard. I’ll never see that again…but I’m glad that the moon is ever watchful over me while we sleep! Nature’s nightlight (except when she’s new). 🙂
Marci – I missed the comet; that is great that you have that memory. I do remember as a 5th grader lying in my girlfriend’s yard and seeing shooting stars for the first time. That blew me away. Now it’s hard to find a nearby place where sky is dark enough to see them!
Thanks for your visits; I so appreciate your interest 🙂
It’s hard getting away from city lights, but when you do, the night sky is incredible, isn’t it???
YES! Once night in Moab we sat for hours tracking a satellite (lighted dot) moving from horizon to horizon; it was – no pun intended – a heavenly experience!!
I agree, the moon is magnificent. Those lunar eclipses were simply a joy to behold. Roll on the next one!
Absolutely!! And across the world, the moon and sun are the tangibles we all see (usually) every day which makes them true connectors for me.
Lovely! That harvest moon is gorgeous.
Jude xx
Those September moons are definitely my favorites!
We often woke the kids and took them out for star gazing or looking at the moon during special happenings in the 1970’s and 1980’s Thanks for reminding me
http://smidgensbitsandsnippets.blogspot.com/
You bet! Thanks for visiting and commenting. I bet your kids remember those special nights, too!
It’s the 14th day of the #atozchallenge and I am out blog hopping today. Glad I stopped by. One of my favorite scenes from the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun is when the baby is born and is taken to the window to see the light. If you have time or interest, I am writing about gardening this month. Come see me.
Hi Stepheny – thank you for stopping by. I remember that movie, but not that scene. Thank you for reminding me of another one I’d like to see again!
I did visit your site earlier in the Challenge, and will definitely stop by again. I hope you are enjoying A to Z as much as I am.
I don’t think I’ve ever been moongazing or stargazing… except for those occasions when there would be a solar eclipse and everybody would be outside gazing up into the sky with those perspex shields to protect the eyes… okay, that’s daytime so it doesn’t count… 🙂
Writer In Transit
Michelle – you’ve never been in the dark looking at stars and constellations? It’s hard to find places dark enough unless you’re in wilderness, but I hope you will take the opportunity some day!
Ah, La Bella Luna! 🙂 Nice memories you have, Sammy. Reminds me of a favourite movie, “Moonstruck”.
🙂 that’s exactly the movie another friend mentioned, and now I want to see it again!
Wonderful stories of your Dad. I love that he illuminated your childhood so well. Yet another great post. Me thinks we’re having a good AtoZ..
Yes, this has been a whirlwind exciting ride. Glad we found each other!
Lovely. La Bella Luna is a huge part of our lives!
Yes, that is evident from your many artistic iterations of that lovely Luna. I enjoy all your interpretations.