In the cool stillness of the early morning under an illumined crescent moon, I heard the nearby hair-raising shriek of a barn owl. In one sweeping glance of the moonlit sky, I spied Cassiopeia, the Pleiades, the Big and Little Dippers. It is autumn.
This was the highlight of my week, not to mention my encounter with my autistic 4-year-old patient who I heard speak for the first time. “What is that?” she queried in a soft and pleasant voice. As I was now dumbfounded and speechless, she immediately answered her own question, “Stethoscope”, in an equally ever-so-faint, yet distinctive pronunciation. Never underestimate the power of God and His interest in children, especially those with special needs!
The year has flown by quickly and autumn, or fall, my favorite season, is here. I enjoy the change of the foliage from vibrant green to the hues of reds, oranges, and yellows. For some, autumn means football. I can certainly relate to that, as my favorite team used to be the Green Bay Packers. You may ask why. It is simple. My uncle gave me a book when I was a kid. I can tell you more about Packers history than you ever want to know!
I also relish autumn because the stars become more resplendent at night. Yes, they have always been there in summer and even in the daytime. However, the viewing is actually best in winter, though being cold is not my forte, notwithstanding my passion for Lambeau field and the fact that I wintered in Romania four years ago.
In high school, I took part in a summer program at the local National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) branch during the building of the Hubble telescope. I actually saw the massive mirrors used to reflect the incredible images for terrestrial viewing. The photos of celestial bodies still fascinate me, as they are beyond stunning and prompt pause. If you have a chance, visit esahubble.org and experience a breathtaking journey for yourself. God’s creative and sustaining power never ceases to amaze me!