Cradling Myself Like the Moon

Photo Credit to Terri Capturing Cradled Moon in Culebra

My mother used to rock me to sleep when I was a little girl. It soothed me and made me feel safe. I don’t remember a time that she refused my request when asked.  Even after her life called her away from me I continued to soothe by rocking myself to sleep, literally. I’d push my hand on the wall behind me and rhythmically rock the bed until I fell asleep. It helped settle my active mind and distract me from my perpetual thinking. When I looked at the moon tonight it reminded me that we all need rocking. The moon is a sliver tonight even though you can make out the outline of the whole moon. It appears that the small crescent that sheds its light is holding the rest of it, cradling it. I see this enormous force being carried by its own self realizing that nothing escapes being carried from time to time. Perhaps the Universe can hold the moon, but on this night,  the moon is soothing itself. The golden piece, a fraction of the whole seems to whisper to its shadow that all is well. As if it were the bassinet, it takes on the weight and the burden that the rest of the whole tries to forget and for this night it is enough. It is unnecessary for the moon to boast tonight or prove its greatness. Instead it allows its boasting powers to be quieted by a smaller part of itself so it can sleep soundly. I just find it so validating to witness the moon taking care of itself when whether due to cycle or circumstance it cannot otherwise share its whole light. It’s speaking to me and saying “it’s OK, little Gina, to be cradled and held and rocked. Until it’s time to shine your light.”