Cassiopeia & my Misty
December 7, 2008I decided when I came back to work that I wasn’t going to be a workaholic to “ease the pain” of losing my wife. So I force myself to have alone time to think, pray, grieve, muse…and even just linger on the images, feelings, touches, laughs and dreams that I remember.
Tonight is perfect.
I am sitting in a friends house in Sedona, AZ. No one is here and they let me stop in for the night for a break from my 2 weeks of 16-20hr days in the desert. I’m sitting in front of the fireplace and I can’t sleep. So I decide to check out the “observation deck”. I walk out the master bedroom and up a spiral staircase to the roof.
Wow… I’m standing there in my socks, not even caring that its quite a bit colder than comfortable. My breath is taken away. The sky is so rich; I can see Orion, Ursa Major, Pleiades, Sirius, and a billion constellations and stars that I couldn’t dream of knowing. But, one group stands out from the crowd. One whose significance is even brighter than is brilliant appearance: Cassiopeia.
Cassiopeia was a queen in Greek Mythology, who is noted to have unrivaled beauty. And the northern sky boasts the mark of this queen. It is unmistakeable as it consists of 5 bright stars forming the letter “M”.
When I was 16, I was backpacking with my brother and my dad. I spent a few hours out under the stars and couldn’t keep from noticing this formation. I had fallen in love with a girl named Misty and this large “M” in the sky became the subject of my poetry for her. In later years, I’d always point out her constellation as we walked hand in hand on the beach or sat outside under the stars at night. And tonight, once again, Cassiopeia becomes the subject of my writings. Today though, its significance is for me, and even you…not for her. The symbol of Cassiopeia is a heavenly mark of my beautiful Misty; an emblem of the beauty, grace and brilliance of my lady; my lady whose life shined as bright as those stars.
Tonight, under the gorgeous Sedona sky, I saw Cassiopeia for the first time since well before Misty died…and instantly it took on a new meaning. It reminded me of the myriad lives that were made a little brighter because of my shining star. I’m so proud…and so sad. Yet, entirely content for tonight.
your writing…… well, it’s quite moving. well done. Peace be with you.
*Sigh* That was deep and beautiful. Heavenly Misty…
Its amazing how much we can learn by just listening with our hearts and feeling the presence of the ones we love even when they are not in our reach physically as humans. I love moments like this…that you describe..and feel “blessed” to be able to open up my mind and body to there existence.
Peace with beauty are always present in our world.
Now whenever I see that “M” I will think of what you just said and thank God as well for the beautiful memory of His Beautiful Child and for you Darren. Like so many have said your “writings” are so inspired and touch deep down into the heart. God has blessed you with the capacity to share so beautifully and yes our lives were made brighter. Love to you, Gail
Beautiful post Darren. I have tears.
*sigh
Hi Darren it’s me afrika, Iknow you haven’heard from me’just have a lot on my plate right now. Ijust read what you wrote about misty, I is lovely and moving, just want you to know i am here, Love You Afrika. PS want to let you know,Igave birth to another baby girl october 14th Taya Brielle love ,Ijust wish misty was here to see her.
Thanks for the share Darren. What a beautiful post.
XOXO,
Tracey
Hi Darren,
Your post was so moving. You have such wisdom and insight beyond your years. It just amazes me the beauty of all that God has given to you. Yes, truly Misty was a bright star in our lives. I miss her. I too will remember this story shared about your M in the sky and I will always be reminded of Misty.
Love you,
Lavenia
Misty was so blessed to have you – Olivia is too : )
God made you special and He loves you very much.
Beautiful…
Such a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing it. It’s so amazing that the One who made those stars also made your Misty, and is in her presence forever.
OH-YEA, What a beautiful post.
Your love for Misty and the fondness with which you remember her is beautiful. Thank you for your example of trusting God through pain. You have been very honest, and for that I thank you. Praying for you and your beautiful little munchkin.
I am sitting here at my desk while my students watch Hamlet and I wish I was alone so that I could reflect more deeply on all of this…my eyes are already welling up and I love you for sharing that with us…you could have so easily kept that to yourself as something private between you and Misty, even now, but you didn’t…so perfect! Thank you so much and thank you to Misty for that she was and still is through those who love her and through the stars!!
I love to go outside in my backyard at night and look at the stars. “See that M up there…? That consellation’s name is Cassiopeia…but her real name is Misty. Let me tell you a special story…”
Darren, your post was beautiful and very moving. thank you for sharing.
I was wondering if you ever got the video available of Misty’s service. A friend of mine lost his wife to cancer and he is just angry right now and I wanted to give him the video as an encouragement. Is there a way to get a copy? Thanks!
Dana,
As soon as the video is done I’ll have a link on the front page. Sorry, its taking the editor a little while to finish up – its a lot of work. We’ll get there soon!