Mike Wolanin | The Republic Gene Sutton shoots video of the total solar eclipse during the Eclipsing the Renaissance eclipse viewing event at the Columbus Airport Airpark on April 8.
I don’t know about you, but I thought the solar eclipse was amazing! I’ve seen partial eclipses before — back in 2017 and one many years ago when I was in grade school. However, this total eclipse significantly notched up the coolness factor.
I marveled at the darkening sky that wasn’t quite like the sun going down, and I was fascinated by the rippling shadows on the ground shortly before totality. During totality, the entire horizon in every direction looked like part of a sunset. The sun’s corona was stunning, and using a telescope we were able to see several impressive reddish prominences, which are loops of the sun’s plasma. The appearance of the first sun sliver after totality seemed like magic.
Another great thing about the eclipse for me was that all of my children were here so we could experience it together. I enjoyed spending time with them and watching them interact with each other. We got out the badminton net and set up croquet, neither of which I’ve played since my boys grew up and left home. My 6-year-old grandson was here too, and his father and uncles included him in some of their old pasttimes — playing in the creek, making dams, and climbing trees. Seeing my sons play, read, and create things with their nephew/son made me smile. I loved hearing my grandson laugh as he and one of his uncles chased around the house and tried to catch each other.
Some of my husband’s family also came to see the eclipse. They’re from Utah, so we enjoyed sharing our part of the world with them as we walked in our neighborhood and on nearby trails. We also took them downtown to show them some of our architectural treasures. Sharing the blooming redbuds, the emerging mayapples, and the iconic downtown buildings with people from out of town helps me appreciate these things more fully.
Family visiting coincided with the conclusion of our remodeling project. The last pieces of the kitchen were finished shortly before several of my boys arrived. Happily, they were willing to unpack boxes and help me put my many kitchen things away, move boxes so they had places to sleep, and help my husband put together and arrange some new furniture. To add to the jumble of activity, my grandson converted the furniture boxes into a fun little neighborhood complete with houses and a store. I’m grateful for everyone’s help and that no one really minded the general disarray.
Eclipses are rare events, and I will treasure this amazing experience. I will also treasure the more everyday happenings and the unruliness of life I experienced in this wonderful weekend.
Susan Cox is one of The Republic’s community columnists, and all opinions expressed are those of the writer. She is an avid reader, an outdoor enthusiast, a mother, a grandmother, and an adjunct instructor of English at Indiana University Columbus. Send comments to [email protected].
