20 Years

This is very much me.

We dropped by Wildfest for Blue Ridge Wildlife Center and met a tiny screech owl named Dopey. He was rescued when he was tossed from the nest due to neurological issues. * It was outdoors, everyone was masked and distanced.

Dopey the Screech

During our long car ride to and fro, I told my cub what happened to me on 9/11. I have never told him the story. I discovered that my body shakes when I tell my story. I showed him these 2 photos.  I explained the ways in which it changed me.

Where I was.

 

The view from my building

He now understands why I spend this day doing things that I enjoy and why I savor sunsets, and moments of beauty. He also understood why loud noises rattle me, and I avoid flying, and why I say "safe journey, safe return" every time I see a low flying plane.

Later that evening we drove to our favorite place, Blandy Experimental Farm VA State Arboretum for the star gazing event. It was wonderful as usual...all their programs are. We saw Jupiter and 4 of it's moons. We saw Saturn. We saw Mizar and Alcor. We saw a high power glimpse of the moon.

Virginia is host to FOUR parks designated as International Dark Sky Parks by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) - Staunton River, James River, Natural Bridge and Sky Meadows.

As we stood there with the Milky Way directly above our heads, my son said, "Mom, my mind is completely blown." He then asked where I keep my telescope.