SHARE THE MOON

As many of us are well aware, after Hurricane Katrina struck, nearly all phones in the New Orleans area were inoperative.  Thus, most people were unable to communicate with loved ones both inside and outside the city.  In some cases, it was weeks before family members, friends, colleagues, etc., could communicate directly with one another.  

When I was finally able to get through to my family in Memphis, they were ecstatic to hear from me.  One sister was so overcome with emotion that I could not make sense of what she was saying due to her inability to speak through her crying.  Of course, cool, calm and collective I assured her of my well being, as I bravely and heroically concealed the fact that tears were rolling down my cheeks too!!!

Friends and family from across the country were calling my father to get any type of update on my personal situation here in New Orleans.  I also learned, to my surprise, friends whom I had not spoken with in years were calling various family members to check on me. Even friends of family members were calling.   It was really quite humbling.

However, my situation was no different from hundreds of thousands of New Orleans residents that were soon scattered across the continent.  People from all over the country were attempting to contact their loved ones.   Shelters had special boards for people to leave messages in hopes a loved one may see.   

COURTESY FEMA
 
Phones were made available free of charge in an effort to allow people to contact and be reunited with loved ones. 

COURTESY FEMA

The internet was inundated with forums with people seeking any information they could about family, friends and colleagues.  NOLA.com was exceptionally busy.

I cannot fathom what it must have been like for parents unable to communicate or locate their children or spouses who did not know when or if they would see their mate again, or children who could not say good night to their "mommy" or "daddy". 

COURTESY  FEMA

Of course we cannot forget about the thousands of people seeking to be reunited with separated and lost pets.

COURTESY  FEMA

A good friend who eventually was able to contact me, described in her concern for my well being, one night she gazed up at the moon and wondered if I could see it as well.  It was not only her desire I was safe but it was also a simple way we could connect., perhaps you could say, a "cosmic connection" of sorts.  Being a long time friend she was aware of my fondness of the moon and its mystical ways.

Undoubtedly the moon is something we as a human race all have in common.  Especially since anywhere on the earth it can be seen.   The moon does not discriminate.   It is all inclusive and shares itself with anyone who is open to seeing it. 

I have always had a fascination with the moon.   Perhaps it is how something so far away, seems so close but you need a rocket ship to get to it.  Scrutinizing it with a pair of binoculars eventually led me to beg my parents for a telescope for my 10th birthday.  Though I never saw a “man”, I did see a crater or two.  Even as an adult, it has always been a desire for me to hike the Grand Canyon during a full moon.  Can you imagine not only the beauty of the Grand Canyon illuminated by the moon but guiding your path as well?  

Seeing the moon float in the night sky tends to radiate a sense of peace and security as if trying to convey “Everything is going to be OK”.  I would even go as far to say that the moon has a certain healing quality about it. 

movie classic, “A Wonderful Life” George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart),  to express his love and devotion,  promised his future wife Mary (Donna Reed), he would “Lasso the moon” for her?

COURTESY  PHOTOBUCKET

Well, I do not know about being able to “Lasso the Moon” but I do know we are able to “SHARE THE MOON” with anybody and anywhere.  Which can be quite the gift, especially since thousands of thousands of New Orleans residents have yet to be able to return to the city and many remain separated from loved ones.  Many families not only live apart in different cities but different states as well, often necessitating commutes of hundreds of miles to spend time with each other.   But in the beauty and the quiet of the night sky, we will always have the silence of the moon assuring us, that we are not alone, no matter where our loved ones may be.  A reminder also that the moon we share today with loved ones is the very same moon that has been shared with loved ones for thousands of years and will be for thousands of years to come. 

Can there be a more alluring unifier out  there?