Someone Stole the Moon

From the time she was a newborn, her mommy has taken her out to say goodnight to the moon. She held her up, almost as an offering.

“Luna, it is night and the moon says hello as we say goodnight.”

Her tiny eyes went from bleary blinks to wide eyed wonder. By the time she was six months, she was reaching out towards it. The little girl was raised to respect the nature that surrounds her. Her little family lives in the woods where, as she grows, she learns to crawl among the moss that covers the downed trees. She splashes in the creek that runs through the center of the property. Her first steps crunch the fallen leaves. Her favorite though becomes the moon she was named after.

She loves the sun too but her mommy says she can't look directly at it.

“The sun is our friend. It makes the crops grow. Brings the warmth and light. Still, we don't look up at it or it will hurt our eyes. We can only look at the moon.”

She takes her hand. The other holds fast to her teddy bear. She is two. They look up at the moon. “Goodnight moon. Luna go asleep.”

Her mommy carries her in. She is tucked into her bed. The rising moon shines into her window, lighting her sleeping face.

By the time she is three, they have a huge snowfall. She is wrapped in a blanket over her flannel pajamas. Her daddy carries her out. Her mommy carries her sister in her belly and can't carry her.

“Goodnight moon. Mommy has a sister in her tummy. I am sleepy.”

A few months later, her sister Eden is born. Still she says goodnight to the moon only now, she introduces her sister to the ritual.

“Moon, this is Luna’s sister Eden. We say goodnight. Mommy says baby needs sleep.”

In the summer, they play under it until the yawns start. Eden crawls while Luna dances. Their mommy watches with a smile. When her daughters show they are sleepy, he gathers up Eden and leads in Luna.

“Wait mommy. We must say goodnight,” she looks up, “ Thank you for the light. Goodnight moon.” Eden gives a sleepy wave towards the sky.

They grow bigger. Luna starts school. That night she holds her sister's hand as they both look up.

“Do you go to school when we can't see you? Is that where you are? I don't like it. Having to leave Eden. There is lots of other kids though. We have to go. School is early.”

“Goodnight moon.” Eden says, smiling up.

Mommy tucks them in together. As the moon shines into their room, Luna tells her sister all about school and all that happened. It becomes their ritual.

Each morning, she kisses her mommy and sister and walks down to catch the bus. Each evening, she sits at the kitchen table while Eden draws and colors and she does her homework. They have supper and then have their time to play outside. Sometimes the moon is full and bright while other times it is barely there. They play until they are tired before being brought in and tucked in. Eden falls asleep to her sister's stories about the magic place called ‘school’.

Summer finds them outside most of the day. Running, climbing, jumping, skipping. Lunch is served outside, where they stop long enough for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a piece of fruit, washed down with water. Play then resumes until they are called in for supper. Hands and faces are washed and supper is quickly eaten. The girls are anxious to get back to playing.

Baths to wash off the dirt and sweat follow. In long t-shirts that serve as gowns, they come out to run a bit longer under the moon before they say goodnight.

It seems only a few days instead of years, before Eden joins Luna on the yellow school bus as they both head to school.

Childhood is fleeting. Though it feels like it will last forever those nights under the moonlight, those long summer days, time remains a thief.

Luna stands under the full moon. On her left hand a new ring glitters. She does something she hasn't done in years. She looks up at the moon.

“Hello. Been a while hasn't it? I am sorry about that. We grew up. Eden is in the last year of high school. I, well I am getting married. See my ring,” she holds her hand up, “Sam is my love and going to be my husband. I will be leaving here,” she sighs, “I can't imagine it. This is all I have known but time goes on.”

The marriage takes place under the full moon in the yard she has grown up in. Eden stands beside her as she says her vows. It bears witness as they become man and wife.

Eden graduates and heads away to college. Her mom moves away to be closer to Luna and Sam and their growing family. It isn't sold though. A caretaker comes around once a month to check on the property.

Time is relentless. It marches on. Luna and Eden’s children grow. They have children of their own.

She returns after her mom's funeral. She walks slowly over the property, a cup of coffee in hand. Her heart is heavy with grief. Sam had passed days before her mom. It is all too much. She decided that this is the best place to be where the memories of her childhood rest.

Her mind returns to those carefree days, running barefoot under the moon. She smiles at the memory of Eden’s birth and the first time she joined her in saying goodnight to the moon. Both blessings and lessons came from this tiny patch of land. Grieving boyfriends, getting married, and all in-between happened here.

Now, at the worst time of her long life, she returns. With tears in her eyes, she looks up into the dark sky. It is a new moon. The heavens seem to grieve with her.

“Someone stole the moon.” She says aloud. Then she starts to weep.