Earthshine

Thursday night my Google Gadget told me the moon was 19% full, in its waxing phase.

As is sometimes the case in these early and late lunar phases, I could see the barely visible presence of the full-bellied moon, the hint that there was more to this celestial being than the curved sliver that catches the eye.

This ghostly glow, I learned, is Earthshine, the "reflected earthlight visible on the moon's night side."

(Perhaps even more endearingly, it is also called "The Old Moon in the New Moon's Arms." But I will explore that image another time.)

It was a welcome vision at a tender time.

Sometimes almost all of us feel invisible, as if pieces of our talents, our gifts, our wisdom are overlooked. Squandered even. The world is noisy, fast, busy and crowded and becoming more so. Staking a claim takes more work than ever. Ideas, energy, egos abound. It is hard to know if others see us shine.

Even more, and sadder still, as bits of us seem invisible to others, they threaten to become invisible to us as well. We cease to see all the talents we possess, the contributions we offer, the differences we make in others' lives.

I think that is one reason why we like It's a Wonderful Life. This lovable, small-town stalwart loses his way and ceases to see the beauty and value of his life.

On those occasions when one's own light fails, when the shine is gone and doubt covers the face, light enough can come from another source. Not enough to fully light us up, but just enough to show us that we are still there, that the self and our talents have not disappeared.

That is why I like the moon in earthshine. It reminds us that though others may sometimes be unable to always recognize the good that dwells within us, and though we, in response, may succumb to their judgment of us, darkening and withdrawing parts of ourselves, there are others who believe, others who shine their gaze upon us, others who will light us up even when we feel dark.

It is through their goodness, their trust, that the full outlines of our being are once again lit up. It is they who give us the strength to return to our full brilliance. Because of their faith, our lights glow, the night sky shines again - and we are all the brighter for it.