Stargazing
“I throw wishes into the night and wait for the stars to catch them.” – Christy Ann Martine
When you look above at the vast sky full of stars and a jubilant moon what do you feel, what do you think, what do you wish? Most nights whether I am stargazing with my children or whether I am alone I take a moment and stand in awe. The big beautiful sky is full of uncertainty and great beauty. I breathe in and simply gaze.
This week learners stargazed while inside the Barlow Planetarium however did you know that besides a field trip adventure you too can stargaze any time day or night? It’s true. There are these magical stars full of great energy and depth that move and change daily. These stars are bright with a great light, they are our genius children!
This past weekend I was home and gazed at my stars. I simply shared space with my son and daughter, I said nothing and simply gazed. As I watched them move through the kitchen and work on projects I became still, flooded by their light, and filled with puddles of awe. I thought “He isn’t this baby anymore, he is a young boy who thinks critically, creatively, and since when can he make his own breakfast? My daughter sings and flows to her own music and is this growing young woman of sophistication.” They are brilliant, they are their own genius stars. Flashes of memories of my babies cycled through my mind and I was enamored to be part of their sky. My stars have an unknown journey and the darkness of the unknown is perhaps the most beautiful. Just like this quote of Christy Ann Martine, I’ve tossed my wishes and it is now the turn of my stars to dream.
Stargazing is this beautiful practice that I’d like to encourage you to try. Take a moment, be still, and simply gaze. It only takes seconds maybe minutes. Can you notice your child’s wonder? Can you feel their creativity? If you look long enough can you recognize their growth? Rather than thinking how they can grow next can you take a moment to revel in how far they’ve come? This is true stargazing, notice their shine!
While at Acton in a Guide role I often stargaze. Here’s one recent glimmer that filled me up with awe. A first year Discovery learner bursting with energy led a studio meeting as a Captain. There were many injustices during Studio Maintenance time and so she rallied her Captain team to call for change. She was kind and firm and glowed with leadership. This 8 year old has been at Acton since she was 4, she was in our first 2020 year. As I watched her glow I beamed with pride to see her light journey. She has always desired leadership yet finally she put all her pieces of experience, kindness, and accountability together and led her studio with action. I teared up remembering her and watching her stand in her light and shine on others.
These moments happen all the time at Acton and most often when we least expect them. Every day there are glimmers of a star’s interest with a material, curiosity of a system, independence to uncover a mystery, and immense love for their friends. Hugs of joy and a love for learning fill our school, all star moments!
Our children are beings of light that have the uncertain magical ability to change the world. Perhaps our job as parents is to give them space to shine, notice their wonder, and allow their balls of fire to burn towards their passions. We can wish all we want for who they will become yet these stars are set for a journey larger than our universe.
Perhaps you are your child’s Moon or North Star. How will you guide them, how can you shine and gaze in the big sea of blue?
“To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your path, and don’t worry about the darkness, for that is when the stars shine brightest.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson