Shared experiences bring people together by creating connection. Many of us remember being outside together at VUMC watching the magnificent total solar eclipse for about two minutes on August 21, 2017. This April 8, 2024, parts of the earth will fall into darkness for up to 4 minutes. The anticipation is significant with some school systems closing for the day.
"I remember my first eclipse in the 1960's as a child and how awestruck I was then. We used a cardboard box with a pinhole rather than the commercial glasses that are available now." notes Jim Kendall, LCSW Manager, Work/Life Connections-EAP, "Each eclipse I experience is a phenomenon that makes me in awe."
The word "eclipse" comes from a Greek word meaning "abandonment" as in the Sun abandoning the Earth. No doubt, without explanation centuries ago, that would be eerie and frightful as well as extraordinary and breathtaking. Now we find that an eclipse brings us together.
If you can, find someone to share the April 8 adventure with sometime around 2 PM as the moon's shadow sweeps across Middle Tennessee.
