The Night Flight

As a very young child night time was scary for me.  I remember that I did not like going to bed without a nightlight on because I was afraid of the dark.  In time I out-grew my fear.  As an adult I prefer my house to be as dark as possible when I go to bed because it helps me fall asleep.  

I remember as a child laying in bed at night listening to the thunder and seeing the lightening through the window. Some nights I was afraid. On other nights I found the thunderstorm very peaceful. As an adult I enjoy falling asleep when it is raining and thundering. How paradoxical. 

Lightening Over Dallas 

Just over two years ago I moved to New Mexico.  Thunderstorms are rare where I live. We have 350 days of sunshine each year.  The West is generally in a drought. When it does rain it is a wonderful event.  It is also a scary event because the soil is so hard and flooding can occur rather easily. 

I was traveling home from Dallas via airplane the other night. While flying I could see the lightening in the distance.  There was no thunder, just the hum of the airplane.  It was so peaceful.  Often flying at night you can see very little out the window until you approach the next city and the airport that is to be your next stop.  But glancing out the window and seeing lightening afforded me the opportunity to see into the distance.  My camera phone could not capture the wonder of the site.  But it will be a picture forever imprinted on my memory and will continue to bring peace and remind me of the joy of living where you can see a long, long way into the distance.  I have come to appreciate thunderstorms and lightening because storms are more rare than when I lived in the Midwest. Perspective is everything and context defines perspective. 

Traveling east into Las Cruces

Another interesting feature of where I live is that you can see a long, long way.  When I travel back to the Midwest or east coast I find that I miss being able to see a long way into the horizon. The ability to see a long way at night is enhanced by the lack of light pollution.  Consequently, when you travel at night the city lights can be spectacular.  However, if you allow your eyes only to gaze at the horizon you miss an even more amazing sight - the stars in the sky.  The absence of light pollution also allows for a full moon to provide light as bright as daylight.  No camera can fully capture what I am attempting to describe.  So while I remember being afraid of the night as a child I am in awe of the night as an adult.