It was almost the end of September, and our first semester together at college started off slow as we spent sleepless nights getting to know each other with Netflix playing in the background and popcorn crumbs scattered across the floor. My friends and I bonded the best at night; after yawning through morning classes and scrambling to get our assignments done. The end of the day was what we looked forward to during those first few weeks as we became more comfortable with each other and tried to make every minute count. That evening, once we were all scattered about in my dorm room creating new inside jokes and complaining about our already heavy workload, my friend suggested we all take a drive up to Mount Greylock to see the rare lunar eclipse. We happily obliged and piled into her tiny hybrid, our ears popping as we elevated up the mountain until we parked at a secluded look out spot.
There was nothing to see besides the sky. The surrounding area was pitch black and the trees blended in with each other, creating one big shadow that towered over us. It was quite and still - just how I liked it. The cool mountain air softly stroked my cheek, subtle winds pushed the hair off of my face. We didn’t budge - looking up. One of my friends balanced her camera on her tripod, taking clear pictures of the blood orange moon that the low quality of our cell phone cameras envied. I tried not to take too many pictures, for I wanted to always have this image in the back of my mind. Before I moved to the scenic Berkshires, Dad would remind me every so often to remember to pause, take a look around, and melt in the beauty that surrounded me. Remembering this, I made a mental note to never forget this tranquil moment and I did my best to memorize the exact size and hue of the moon, and the formation of the stars that illuminated the dark sky.
“Okay” Sam sighed after twenty minutes of peaceful silence, “I’m freezing. Let’s go get some food.”
Snapping me out of my trance, I took one last look at the sky and tried my best to store it in my memory forever. We drove away in silence, my two friends next to me in the backseat with their hands intertwined. I looked away and watched the moon follow us down the mountain instead. I found it funny how I used to be so afraid of the dark as a child, but now I found so much comfort in it. The sky felt like home and despite my loneliness, I felt okay. My closest friends were with me for this impromptu adventure, and even spending time together in silence still made me happy. Maybe I was not exactly where I wanted to be, but I was content. The love of my friends is far more powerful than any romance could ever give me, and it is the little quiet moments with them that you realize friends are really all you need.
I do a lot of my thinking at night now. I watch the sky from my window, entranced as the sky turns from blue to pastel pinks and lavenders until everything grows so dark. I am not sure what is so magical about the nighttime, but it is when my creativity sparks. I write my best poems, I think about my feelings. I laugh with my friends until my eyes start to water, and when I finally go to bed I think about how lucky I am to finally be so happy with my life. On that eclipsed night, the moon taught me to be present and remember how perfect things are in the moment. Whether it be the night sky or a time surrounded by love, it is important to close your eyes and remember how good everything feels in that moment. Now I am filled with so many beautiful memories, things that I would not want to change even if I tried.
