The world often demands far too much of us. We feel as if we are spread-eagled on the bottom of an overturned life raft, hanging on for dear life against howling winds and turbulent seas. We keep looking for anything to logically ease the threat or pave the way for rescue.
Well, one need not look any farther than skyward and toward the moon. When spiced with only a small bit of imagination, it’s ready to sooth the soul, help verify a decision or even help one forget they had one to make.
Among those who have already figured that out are writers of songs about the moon such as Moon Over Miami, a dreamy tune performed over the years by many noted singers and orchestras. Then there’s Moon River made famous by Andy Williams, Moonlight In Vermont sung by Frank Sinatra and Racing With The Moon introduced by Vaughn Monroe — and the list goes on.
That the word “moon” has been borrowed countless times suggests the moon itself is involved. Two examples are “moonstruck” that means unable to act normally, especially because of being in love, and “moon glow” which is a term associated with cosmetics that give human skin that desirable look.
Maybe this is a good time, however, to remind ourselves that the moon is earth’s closest celestial neighbor. Unlike the stars and planets that are millions of miles away, from here to the moon is a mere 125,000 miles — the reason that even the naked eye can see gray splotches hinting of its barren and mountainous landscape.
And consider this: Back in 1968, only 75 hours had elapsed between the time astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Landers left earth and when they began their first of 10 orbits around the moon. As they began the fourth orbit they were startled by the sight of earth bathed in light and covered with patches of white and blue. The stunning pictures they brought back showed us for the first time what our earthly home looks like from space.
The following year, Michael Collins remained in the command module as Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin left in the lunar module, landed on the moon, then stepped out onto the surface to leave historic footprints.
Neither that familiarity nor the fact the moon has no water, atmosphere or special features, seems to bother us earthlings. Saturn may have its rings and Uranus its unique tilt, but we have our moon. Its closeness and the feelings we have toward it are truly special.
For one thing, the moon’s mood varies. In the new moon phase, it’s a thin, sharp edged, and curved sliver in the heavens. Then gradually it becomes a round and sometimes colorful ball slowly rising out of the sea, the prairie, at the end of a highway or from behind a building. It soon becomes white, glowing bright enough to create shadows. All too soon it seems, it wanes to become much less of a dominant feature in the heavens and finally say goodbye as it prepares to begin the cycle all over again.
With such predictability, it’s no wonder we often time our earthbound events to coincide with the light of the moon. We give it a wink or a nod when we choose it to be a valuable accessory for love-making or proposing marriage. Or how about a spooky walk in a cemetery at Halloween that’s more scary when the light of a full moon creates shadows and illusions of spirits rising from or hovering above graves of the dearly departed.
There are, however, times when we want the moon to be in hiding, such as during the WWII Allied invasion of Normandy which was purposely launched when the sky was at its darkest.
All that aside, we return to the special relationship that exists between us and the moon. No matter how troubled we are, there’s something reassuring in either looking directly at it or merely sitting and looking at a landscape bathed in its light. Without even being asked, it imparts a feeling of peace, serving as a kind of companion to help us expand or even fantasize our thoughts.
Whatever the occasion or need, the moon makes us feel as if we and it are in it together. Although far out in space, it has the power to dry tears, soothe souls, kindle feelings of love, and energize spirits not only in Miami, but anywhere and everywhere —
— even where you are.
