Star Gazing in Marfa

I shared with you our daytime visit to the McDonald Observatory. The next night, we headed to Marfa for a nighttime view of the heavens.

Marfa, Texas is known for being an especially great place for stargazing. It is also famous for its mysterious lights. There is even an official light-watching area off Hwy 90.

We loaded up the kids (and Beanie) in the truck and headed out to see these lights for ourselves. We parked and brought our blankets around to the bed of the truck. After, some wiggling and a few misplaced elbows followed by “ow”s, we settled in.

I have lived in cities most of my life. I have looked up into the sky and seen the moon and the stars. Or so I thought.

There is a light show out there that outshines any Christmas display. I have seen pictures in books but have never been anywhere dark enough to see them in person. It was truly spectacular. In a world where the word awesome is thrown around lightly, it was one of the most awesome things I have ever seen.

More beautiful than the lights, however, was the conversation it started. I told the kids that looking at the heavens reminded me why I believe in God. Little Diva chipped in that she thought that the stars were our angels shining so we could see them. Sonny-Bunny told us that he thought he could see loved ones that have passed in the stars. He is a tween and expressing emotions is not easy for him but in that moment, he was so deep and present.

That is why we are doing this; moments like that. Moments where the discussion is not about Minecraft, iPads, or YouTube. Moments when the quiet parts of our hearts are open and shared. There have been rough days as we settle in this close life but this is the payoff and well worth it.

After over an hour shivering and cuddling in the truck bed, we decided to head back to Ft. Davis. We never saw the mysterious Marfa lights, but we came home full of light. I will call that a win.