When Friends and Family Feel Far Away ...

The moon looked even closer when seen through our windshield than it does in this photo.

While still in Montana, but driving towards to the western coast of the United States last week, I was browsing through Facebook. My friend Sandra, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada had posted a gorgeous picture of the night sky. She had taken it the evening before. Her caption was "Oh, Super Duper Harvest Moon, you rock."

Her post made me smile. It was not quite yet dawn, and I had just looked down from the view through our windshield - of a huge, white moon. It seemed suspended low enough in the sky that we might almost be able to reach it, as soon as we crossed an upcoming mountain pass. 

It was, of course, the same moon my friend had photographed from where she lives, so many miles from our car. Suddenly Earth seemed much smaller, and far-away friends and family much less distant.

I wrote on my friend's Facebook wall: "We have had a beautiful view of it in Montana! Great photo! It is gorgeous at dawn this morning as well!" She responded, "I was up at 6, but if it was out it was behind some clouds, or more trees. Glad we could all share the same moon!"

Such a beautiful moon!

We all share the same moon. A comforting thought, knowing that my family was soon to be separated by hundreds of miles once again. Taking my oldest child to her second year of college was easier than the trip twelve months before, but I was still feeling the pangs of separation. Thanks Sandra, for a well-timed post.

If your friends and family feel far away - it may be helpful to remember that we all share the same moon.  Our moon, sun, and stars (though viewed in different locations in the sky) are something that we all can see.

My children and I will always look at the same moon every night, no matter how far they live from me.

Has the moon ever been a source of comfort to you?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog.  Check them out!