Hi, Stacey!
A few weeks ago I went to Dallas to watch the total solar eclipse. I don’t have to explain what that means, scientifically, to you. But I would like to express what the experience meant to me, humanly.
This was the second total eclipse I’ve been privileged enough to see. I saw my first in 2017, only after uncharacteristic pressure from my mom, who lived near totality. Her favorite fact to entice me: 50% of people who see a total eclipse chase a second! I had my doubts and was on a gig in Maine, but I made the trip work. Long story short, my mom was very right. The eclipse was incredible, and, indeed, my partner and I have now chased a second.
I often say to people the 2017 eclipse was the single most amazing moment of my life. I know that sounds hyperbolic. And technically, maybe it is. I mean, sure, how can we truly remember or rank “amazing” moments? But! As far as I can tell, from inside my own mind, I’ve never experienced anything as miraculous as a total eclipse. And to be so fair, there is literally nothing else like a total eclipse in the entire galaxy. What does it mean, I want to ask (to who, I don’t know).
Stacey, it’s ironic that I want to write you about what made the eclipse so special to me because what makes the eclipse so special to me is its inability to be described. I’ve come to realize I am obsessed with documenting life. I’m frequently the person (for better or worse) who says, “Let’s get a group photo!” I’ve scrapbooked diligently since I was 14. At this point I’ve got to be hoarding hundreds of diaries. And, most significantly, I am, before all else, a writer. But there are simply no words to properly express the magic of an eclipse moment. The photos look pretty stupid too. Comparatively.
Things I say about the eclipse that don’t do it justice:
-first of all, it’s like the middle of the night in the middle of the day
-the animals act like it’s the middle of the night in the middle of the day
-there is a windy chill in the air unlike any other, I swear!
-when totality actually occurs, the brain (at least mine) melts, perhaps from trying to process seeing something “impossible”
-the moon, despite being so far away, somehow seems so so near
-the moon’s gorgeous dark craters are visible!
-an angelic ring of sunshine peaks through the sky!
-I could tell (both times) deep inside me, when the phenomenon was ending, which made me feel, for the briefest moment, that yes everything must be connected, otherwise how could I silently speak with the stars!?
-to be human is to experience the Temporary, and what is more Temporary than a unique celestial occurrence?
See? Words simply don’t cut it! And yet, I was moved to tears. And yet, I was moved to buy an expensive plane ticket to Texas to see the moon blot out the sun for four minutes. And yet! I’ll never ever forget the whole of the memory even though most of the details are already gone. You’ll just have to trust me on this one, Stacey. I suppose that’s why I wanted to tell you, even though I know my description will be lost in translation. I suppose I wanted to remind you that the human experience can’t be captured. And if we are gone, so is some of earth’s truth, beauty, and life.
Waiting for a sign.
xo
Alice
Hi Stacey 
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