Ode to the Moon

Last night I was in downtown Chicago with Matthew Federici, the new Executive Director of the Copeland Center, who is kind of one of my "bosses". I do facilitator trainings and an occasional presentation for the Copeland Center and we are both attending the National Association of Peer Specialists Conference. He is very passionate about WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) and so am I, so we have that automatic great connection that helps people feel comfortable with each other even before they meet in person. And then I spotted his boldly striped blue and and gray socks and knew that we would be friends for life! Sometimes it is important identifying factors like fun striped socks that make me know that I am with the right person at the right time!

Anyway, I told you all that so you would know who I was with when I spotted the glorious full moon in Chicago. Now I know that the same amazing full moon was working it's glorious magic in many other places, but believe me -- the moon in Chicago last night was a breathtaking sight. Every time I see the full moon, I am newly amazed. It never loses it's moonspell over me. I am utterly more alive when I see a full moon. Matthew and I went to Millenium Park and saw the full moon dazzling us over the lake. Later as we were seated at an outdoor restaurant, the moon placed itself right between two open umbrellas, as if to contribute to our outdoor dining decor.

It is a joke in our family that I will probably never be arrested for a DUI (driving under the influence), but I might be arrested for a DUM (driving under the influence of the moon)! When the full moon is out in all it's glory, I really should not be allowed to drive at night. I see it peeking out from the trees, tantalizing me, and I keep looking, as I drive, to see when it will pop out again. I remember the time I was driving down our main thoroughfare and the moon was right in front of me. I don't know how this happened, but it was enormous -- like out of a science fiction movie! I will never forget that night! I felt like I was driving right into the moon!

When I spot a morning full moon, a light white circular wafer in the sky, it's always a lovely surprise. One time a friend took me to watch the moonrise! I had never heard of that, but we went to a local park, and there were lots of other people gathered, all chatting and friendly, until the time of the moonrise. Then it was very still as we all waited reverently for the moon to show itself over the trees. What a triumphant evening of fun, appreciation, and celebration! It was also another indication of how we can have enormous amounts of enjoyment for no money at all!

Thank you to the moon! You never fail to impress me with your glory! Your crescents are great, the half moon is promising, three-quarters moon gets me in the mood -- but when you pull out all the stops and show yourself in your entirety -- all I can say is WOW and WOWEEEEEE!!