Sunset on the Hill

What ancient synapse, what remnant of my old reptilian brain, wondered at the tessellations of light and shadow and felt something move within me? As we sat on the grass and watched our very own star sink into the blood orange sky.

__ turns to me and says, What are you thinking?

I say, I'm thinking that it's funny how we all think the sun is going down but it's actually the earth turning. And I'm thinking how amazing it is that the light hitting us is eight minutes old.

There is a nod and a smile and an exchange of silent understanding.

I say, What are you thinking?

He says, Nothing. Just experiencing.

I say, Sometimes thoughts and words detract from the experience.

My life is filled with numerous transient moments, most of which I experience and discard. I am just another human trying to make sense of why I am here, to find meaning where there is none. But that moment on the hill was a truly amazing moment. It was a moment of complete openness, stripped of social anxiety, an unconstrained declaration of companionship. I escaped for a moment out of myself, in music and laughter and sunshine under the trees. And that was an experience that was priceless and perfect.