Written In the Stars

Posted in inspirationTagged , , ,

“Don’t worry about the darkness for that is when stars shine the brightest.” – Napoleon Hill

Last weekend we were up on Whidbey Island at a beautiful place on Mutiny Bay. At 3am I woke up as documented in my The Whispers of My Failures post and none of my usual tricks helped me go back to sleep.

So I walked to the window and the sky was so beautiful, clear and filled with stars. It was a breathtaking view of which I never see when I’m in the city (nor do I usually look). Instead of going back to bed, I threw on some warm clothes and got my kids out of bed.

I wrapped them in blankets and helped them slip outside to sit on the break wall and look at the stars. Miss O saw two shooting stars, the Big Dipper and Orion’s belt right away. I pointed out the Milky Way galaxy and the Seven Sisters (Pleiades) and then Mr D asked what the noise was. It was a cruise ship all lit up (see featured photo) and heading south to dock in port in Seattle at sunrise. Then as we turned to go back inside, a second cruise ship steamed by.

I told the story of what I’d done to my mom when she came over for dinner this week, and she said, “You are a good mom. I would have never done that.”

Then she added, “But it’s stuff like that they’ll remember.”

I’m not claiming any parental award for this star gazing outing though. All I did was let my God voice outweigh my practical voice. I listened to that inner whisper that asked, “When will this night come again?”

It took a little work but my kids went back to sleep. As I settled back into bed I felt the full circle realization of the majority of why I try (and sometimes fail) these days – for these beautiful little lives that I’m responsible for. And for them to know beauty – like of the night sky.

Somehow, waking them up at 3am was the perfect cure for aligning me with what I value most. No surprise because when I honor that small God voice inside it usually does reward me with that alignment to what matters most.

As I fell back asleep, I did so with a little piece of the world’s beauty in my heart and proof of my most enduring efforts sleeping next door.

57 thoughts on “Written In the Stars”

  1. Yes…it’s the stuff they will remember…and what a show to see. Love that you captured so many magnificent sights in one breathtaking peek. “When will this night come again?” That’s the perfect question and I love how you responded. Listening to your small God voice, indeed. xo and thanks for sharing, Wynne. 😊❤😊

    Liked by 2 people

      2. I’m laughing/tearing up at the same time, my wee Leprechaun friend. I love that typo — soooo much. But truly — it was ***your post*** that got the waterworks going, silly one. Now you just need to get the kids to help you search the night sky for a pot of gold and we’ll really have the Irish eyes smiling. LOL. 😉😉😉

        Liked by 1 person

  2. “that small God voice”–I love this, and wish I’d has this phrase in my last phone call! This was exactly what I was trying to get at, in many more words: You will have to get quiet and listen inside yourself to know the answer, which must come from within–not outside of–you. On this frazzled-feeling morning, this phrase and this post are both gifts for my heart.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh Deborah, what a touching comment and I’m so glad. You said it so well – the answer must come from within. But how often we (or I’ll speak for myself, I) just listen to the voice from outside. Hope the frazzled-feeling gets better!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. What a magical experience! Your mom is right—it is one that will never be forgotten by any one of you. How blessed your children are to have a mother who has the wisdom to listen—and follow—the still small voice within.

    Liked by 3 people

  6. Beautiful post Wynne. Stargazing and cloud watching were two of my favorite things I once shared with my children.

    Honoring that “small God voice” under the stars with your two precious little ones is a memory they will cherish forever, beyond whatever Disneyland or any other themepark entertainment could ever provide.

    Your mom is spot on . . . You are a good mom.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Oh Fred, what a lovely and encouraging comment. Thank you! I like the better than Disneyland part – yes, this natural world is quite spectacular! Besides, I don’t think Disneyland is open at 3am. 🙂

      Like

  9. Niiice! It’s interesting how deeply the narrative of “failing” has gotten into our collective psyches when we feel failure over being able to sleep through the night. We’re supposed “to do” something about it, like take medication to prevent it from happening!

    Yet, when we allow those moments to guide us, we can actually have great experiences! I’ve done some great creative work in the middle of the night when I was tossing and turning but instead got up to channel that energy.

    There are old writings that show our ancestors would get up in the middle of the night and visit other nocturnal neighbors whose sleep was interrupted in the middle of the night for an hour or two… they’d play cards together, have tea, chat, etc., things they wouldn’t ordinarily get to do with the business of the day.

    We do get stressed about our “inabilities” instead of leaning into them, don’t we?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Well said, Tamara. We just need to lean into them. With that said, I did need to have a nap the next day but it all worked out. 🙂 So glad that you have had great nocturnal experiences too!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I totally understand about the need to ha e a nap the next day! But I guess we’d need it whether we lay in bed fighting it, or whether we got up and just made the most of it! 😬

        Liked by 1 person

  10. I can’t “heart” this enough. The spontaneous things are usually the most fun. And I’m with your mom that they’ll remember “that night mom woke us up at 3 AM to look at the stars.” 🥰

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Your children will remember it for sure! I don’t know if I would have woken them up, but you dit the right thing. You started building up memories of their life. When I think of my childhood, I remember summer nights spent my parents, cousins, uncles and aunties ( we used to spend the summer at my grandmother ‘s in the countryside, she had a big house) watching the stars up a hill, and singing all together. It was fantastic and now the memory is so sweet!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Oh this is such a beautiful story, Wynne. It really warmed my heart and I can vividly see you waking your kids up, enjoy the view together. They surely will remember this for years to come.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Ab! As you’ve said before, it goes by so fast. What’s a little sleep lost if we gain the memory. Right? Thanks my friend – hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      Like

  15. Responding to your God voice and pushing aside the practical for just a little while served you and your children well. It is indeed these precious moments they’ll remember. You do deserve the gold medal for parenting. Beautiful post as always Wynne. Have a beautiful weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ahh, what a generous comment, Alegria. You said it well – it served both me and my children well. A true win!

      Hope you have a wonderful weekend celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving!

      Like

  17. BEAUTIFUL!
    You are such a good mum, Wynne.
    I agree, “No surprise because when I honor that small God voice inside it usually does reward me with that alignment to what matters most.”
    Keep listening to your God voice and reaping its rewards with your two beautiful children.
    Love

    Liked by 1 person

  18. One of my fondest memories with my kids happened during a visit to Crater Lake. I’d gone out on the deck in the evening and was so amazed by the stars in the sky, I went back to the room and bundled them up to come take a look, too. Though that happened a very long time ago, I can still picture those stars every time I close my eyes.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, what a beautiful memory. I’m so grateful you told me. And I have never been to Crater Lake and can’t wait to see them for myself there.

      How’s the Covid? I hope you are doing okay and Tara is staying well! I don’t think I commented on that post but I love Singles and your portrayal of that scene from that movie. Totally made me laugh.

      When I had Covid too I noticed it didn’t take 15 minutes – as soon as it gets to that line it lights it up!!

      Be well, Mark!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you, Wynne! I’m doing fine. Feeling better today. Honestly, it’s no worse than a bad cold. The flu kicked my ass more.

        I hope you can make it out to Crater Lake someday. It’s truly breathtaking.

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Wow this is so beautiful. I’m such a fan of awe. And I always think it’s so sad when people pass up moments like this, even and especially at 3am! It’s easy to start gaze when you’re already awake, but to step out at 3am enforces the idea that it’s important to seek out awe and to let it in when it’s calling. I think my father and grandfather instilled this in me, although, I always used the word “magic” but it’s all the same. I am so glad you listened to your god voice in that moment and I do think your kids will never forget that one! 🌟

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oooh, the idea to “seek out awe and to let it in when it’s calling!” Wow – what a cool image of moving toward it. I love that your father and grandfather taught you this and I agree – it’s magic. We just have to seek it out, right! What a wonderful comment!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Ok I know I just commented but it also makes me think of this quote from Joe vs the volcano which u MUST see! It’s so MAGICAL! And Meg Ryan’s character says her father thinks that everyone is asleep and only a few people are awake. And “they live in a state of constant and total amazement.” This story reminded me of that! I don’t know if you consider yourself an artist but you certainly have an artist’s soul!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. A beautiful quote – you’re right that I need to see that movie.

      I’m beginning to see myself as an artist and I so appreciate your encouragement because it comes at just the right time. Thank you, Libby!

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Pingback: Dancing In the Dark – Surprised By Joy
  24. Pingback: About Me - Wise & Shine

Comments are closed.