Navigation ....

Many a moon ago, when I was really little, I was introduced to the night sky for the first time. I'm guessing I was four, maybe five. Where was I? I was in the back of my grandparents' car; we were driving down the road into the blackest and darkest night EVER. If I remember correctly, I was a little upset by how dark it was outside. Grandpa told me to look out my window at the stars. Even though it seemed very dark, the stars were shinning brightly.

"Look out the window," Nana also encouraged me. Sure enough, I saw some bright twinkles in the dark sky. At that point, my grandmother started telling me a story about UFO's and aliens. I didn't know what UFO's and aliens were and asked for her to explain. She did.

Everyone was sorry ....

Well, I got upset. I can't really remember what that looked like. I wasn't the type to throw a tantrum or cry over nothing like some of the kids these days. ;) Kids these days .... But, I was scared and started worrying. "Are the aliens there now? Are they going to come get us? Are they going to take me away?" It went something like that. Grandpa kept saying there weren't aliens and I was fine. Hmmm.... I was still upset. Was he sure? Did he promise?

I remember him turning to my grandmother and saying, "Mother, you're never going to talk about UFO's and aliens again." And, in point of fact, I don't recall hearing her talk of them again.

Well, by the time we got to their place, I wasn't feeling much better ... despite Grandpa suggesting that Nana and I sing. "Nana knows foreign languages, Shannon," he said. "Did you know that? Sing something, Mother." After several renditions of "Tu Ra Lu Ra Lu Ra", we were back in Plainfield and I was asking if they'd lock the doors so the aliens wouldn't come get us.

That was it, I guess. My grandfather disappeared and came back with a blanket. He wrapped me in the blanket, picked me up and carried me outside in the middle of the driveway and just stood there. He stood there and held me for what felt like forever. "Look at the stars, Shannon. Look at them. Do they really look like something to be afraid of?"

Ummm.... Yes....

No. He went on to tell me that stars help people and had helped people forever and ever. He was a pilot. I knew that. Well, people who needed to find their way used the stars to navigate.

"Navigate? What does that mean?" He told me, though I can't remember exactly how he explained it. I know he talked about traveling at night, walking or sailing or ... People had always used the stars to find their way.

He tried to point out the Dippers. I had a hard time finding them and picturing what he was explaining. But, he kept showing me and, finally, I was able to see them, at least the big one. ;) Grandpa told me I'd have to work on finding the little one; the North Star was needed for navigation.

He asked me if I was still afraid of the stars. 

Well, .... Not as much.

He looked at me. 

Silence....

"Let's find Orion," he said.

Well, may I just say, I was able to spot Orion just like that, after he explained and showed me. To this day, Orion is my favorite. Orion seemed so big and so strong. Yup.  I decided in that moment that Orion and my grandfather would take care of me and protect me from UFO's.

At that point, I told him I wasn't afraid anymore. In fact, I told him I might even want to grow up to be a pilot. He chuckled and said, "Well, now...." Then, he told me, "You know, Shannon, navigators are very important. I wouldn't have been able to fly my big plane without my navigator. Maybe you should think about that."

To my grandfather who recently "slipped the surly bonds of Earth", thank you for the lessons in navigation.  To my grandmother who is still here, I'm so very grateful for the love of stories and storytelling.  

To Diane, my co-worker and mentor who has been telling me to start a blog, well, ....  I'm not sure how I feel about this whole blog idea, but I'm thankful that you think I have something to share.  This first post is also dedicated to you.  Thank you for encouraging me and supporting me during this time of loss.

Copyright 2013 -> Shannon