“Once upon a time I was falling in love, now I’m only falling apart…”

A total eclipse is coming to a city near us. Very soon. Not a total eclipse of the heart. But yet I still can’t get that song out of my head. Rather, a total solar eclipse, which according to Nasa.gov is defined as, 

This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun’s tenuous atmosphere – the corona.

is set to occur on August 21, 2017. Just a couple of days into our school year. And we have decided to take our kids out for the day. 

When I looked at the calendar initially and realized that a new school year will be in session on the date of the eclipse, I figured the kids would enjoy some time outside during the school day and that was that. And then my husband proposed we take them out for the day. And I was sort of baffled, take them out for a couple minute event?

I know that kids have less and less leeway for absences in the public school system these days (that said, I love our schools) and so I hadn’t even considered yanking them from the studies. For a chance to stare at the sun. For a chance to see a partial eclipse versus a total eclipse. But then, as I thought through it, this is something that they may only be able to experience or see ONE time in their life span. 

That’s nuts. One. Time. And we can make it happen by changing our location in Nebraska by a couple hundred miles? Then we should probably try to make that happen.

And so, I emailed our Principal. I explained that we were thinking of taking the kids out and heading closer to our hometown. I explained that given my different perspective on “time” on this planet since having cancer (not in those words but with that sentiment), I really want our kids to be able to experience this opportunity the best they can. And she replied as awesomely as possible, “I think that is great!” 

So, we’re taking our kids out of school and hitting the road to see the big sun show. To a little corner of our state, Saline County, because we’ll be able to take advantage of the event and see the total eclipse for an approximate 2 minutes and 36 seconds as opposed to a partial for a shorter amount of time. 

Isn’t it wild? Wild that in everything that we can control as humans and want to control in this day and age… isn’t it wildly fascinating that there are still incredibly wondrous things that just occur on their own, with no control from our human hands? I find that awe inspiring. And I can’t wait to see this moment in history, with my kids and husband by my side. 

I write this not as a persuasion piece, but rather as a view on what our family is doing for the big event. If you’re in line to see the eclipse, partial or total, are you planning anything special or different for the day? I believe school is an important way of learning and I applaud them for making the day a learning opportunity but I am excited that seeing it in person will provide a huge learning opportunity for our trio. And for us as their parents. 

“Turn around, bright eyes…”

 

*if you’re planning on watching the eclipse, looking directly at the sun is never safe without proper eyewear. Protect your peepers, peeps. Snag some glasses to prepare for the day.

Editor’s Note: The total eclipse is happening in our view in Kearney, Nebraska! Here’s a link to another location to watch.

Want to know where the eclipse is in your view? Click here for more details.