My Star Gazer...

My sweet little girl is growing up so fast!  She LOVES to learn about an array of things.  She questions everything and has more "What if..."s than anyone I've ever met.  One of her dreams is to see a shooting star.  She has been wanting to do this and has talked about it for at least a year, probably longer.  We've tried a few times but it's just never come to pass. 

When I heard about the Geminids Meteor Shower that was last night and tonight, I talked to her about it.  That was about a week and a half ago.  We talked about what meteors are, we had a recent field trip to the planetarium, she learned about them in her Nature Studies class at school, she was prepared.  She was ready.  When I looked out the window tonight and saw the thick clouds across the sky I told her that we weren't going to be able to see a shooting star tonight.  She tried to force a smile.  She tried nod her head and say it was ok, that she understood, but the tears spilled out anyway. Seeing the disappointment in my precious child, so eager to learn, so eager to see the awesome creations that our Father in Heaven has so graciously given to us, broke my heart.  I scooped her up and held her as we cried together.  We had family scriptures and prayers and I said a quick prayer in my heart, asking for a tiny miracle, a parting cloud and just one shooting star for my girl to see. 

As Derrick read to Easton and tucked him in,  I told Madi to get some shoes on while I rounded up a few blankets.  We headed for the trampoline and snuggled up together in the blankets to stay warm.  As we lay there shivering, looking at the mass of clouds, talking about what meteors are made of, I had a thought.  I could show her what a shooting star looks like.  I could show her a meteor shower, not in the majestic way she's been dreaming of, but a meteor shower nonetheless. I pulled out my phone and opened YouTube.  I typed in my search and instantly had several options to choose from.  I  let her watch one, then another, and another.  I saw the awe in her eyes and the excitement as she asked questions and watched them on my tiny screen.  After a few clips, we went inside for some hot chocolate and watched a few more on our TV.  I told her that I would set my alarm and wake up during the night to see if the clouds had broke up so we could catch a peek.  We talked some more about the amazing creations and beauties in the heavens and then read stories and I put her to bed with a sweet smile on her face that stretched from ear to ear. 

I am so very grateful for the privilege it is to be her mom.  She amazes me every day at the things that she notices, the way she absorbs information and her yearning to know more about everything.  I am so thankful for the many, many, many resources and technologies that are available that allow me to help her and answer some of those questions and fulfill some of those dreams, at least on a small level.

On a side note*** Chris and Annie... We should plan a camping trip to Arches next summer in August during the Perseids Meteor Shower.  It's supposed to be one of the big ones! :D