I was giving up on this dream, then a few weeks ago, I watched The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy in Finland. He was staying in a cabin with floor to ceiling windows where he could see the Northern Lights (if he stayed awake). Oooh, are there places like that? I googled it and yes there are! I could be comfortably warm and see the Northern Lights? My dream is back. Although, I'm sure if I was there, I would want to go outside to better enjoy them, but at least I wouldn't have to be waiting for hours in the cold.
Another hope for seeing the Northern Lights is that I have taken over my parents’ cottage in Northern Ontario, where it may be possible to see them in the summer, but they're not as common as they are in the winter.
Technology today makes it easier to see them as well. There are forecasts and Facebook pages where people will post forecasts and strengths.
I am currently visiting my parents. It's the first time I come back to my hometown in the winter in over twenty years. The forecast showed a strong possibility for Northern Lights one night. I went outside to see if there was a spot with less light pollution for me to go to, if they appeared.
I am currently visiting my parents. It's the first time I come back to my hometown in the winter in over twenty years. The forecast showed a strong possibility for Northern Lights one night. I went outside to see if there was a spot with less light pollution for me to go to, if they appeared.
I left my coat, mitts, scarf, etc. by the door just in case I saw them from the window. I was monitoring the aurora borealis accounts and had the blinds open in my bedroom.
Earlier that evening, the specialist’s office called from Timmins, which is almost a 2 hour drive from my parent's place. They had a cancellation for the next day and were checking to see if they could go for a check-up.
I thought it was serendipitous. I am here and can drive them. The timing of my visit seemed perfect for me to be here for this opportunity. As the evening ended, I realized that sleeping was more important than the northern lights. We’d be up early; driving for four hours, plus the appointment time and meal.
In the morning, I called the doctor's office to get more information. I learned it was a ten-minute sit-down appointment. If there were any issues, the specialist would refer to the emergency department or book another appointment for treatment. We were going to drive four hours in the winter to have a 10 minute chat. We cancelled the appointment and made the next appointment when the doctor would be in my parents' town.
Afterwards, I wondered, what was the point? I thought I was serendipitously here in order to help my father get the care he needed. I wondered why this call interrupted my attempts at seeing the Northern Lights. I was confused. Normally, some things happen for a reason or at least I find some meaning. The doctor had an opening and lucky us; I was here. How lucky that the Northern Lights would be visible during my visit!! Then, the appointment was cancelled and the Northern Lights were missed.
Earlier that evening, the specialist’s office called from Timmins, which is almost a 2 hour drive from my parent's place. They had a cancellation for the next day and were checking to see if they could go for a check-up.
I thought it was serendipitous. I am here and can drive them. The timing of my visit seemed perfect for me to be here for this opportunity. As the evening ended, I realized that sleeping was more important than the northern lights. We’d be up early; driving for four hours, plus the appointment time and meal.
In the morning, I called the doctor's office to get more information. I learned it was a ten-minute sit-down appointment. If there were any issues, the specialist would refer to the emergency department or book another appointment for treatment. We were going to drive four hours in the winter to have a 10 minute chat. We cancelled the appointment and made the next appointment when the doctor would be in my parents' town.
Afterwards, I wondered, what was the point? I thought I was serendipitously here in order to help my father get the care he needed. I wondered why this call interrupted my attempts at seeing the Northern Lights. I was confused. Normally, some things happen for a reason or at least I find some meaning. The doctor had an opening and lucky us; I was here. How lucky that the Northern Lights would be visible during my visit!! Then, the appointment was cancelled and the Northern Lights were missed.
Upon reflection, we recognized that the risk, stress and discomfort in travelling was greater than the benefit of a follow-up appointment for them. It was perhaps a mindset shift for my parents.
As for my missed Northern Lights, a local photographer posted a drone video of the spectacle the next morning. I took a screen capture and added an arrow to show where I was sleeping under the northern lights to show my friends. It’s funny, I couldn’t believe that Eugene Levy slept while there were Northern Lights and here I was, sleeping under the Northern Lights. We all have our priorities and sometimes sleep is the priority.
As for my missed Northern Lights, a local photographer posted a drone video of the spectacle the next morning. I took a screen capture and added an arrow to show where I was sleeping under the northern lights to show my friends. It’s funny, I couldn’t believe that Eugene Levy slept while there were Northern Lights and here I was, sleeping under the Northern Lights. We all have our priorities and sometimes sleep is the priority.
I joked with my friends that perhaps the northern lights weren’t amazing enough that night for them to be my “first time” to see them. Perhaps my first time will be in a more ideal setting; maybe my cottage at the lake or on a trip to Alaska, northern Canada or Scandinavia.
Maybe this was the little warning from the universe - for me to reflect when I feel I have serendipitous moments. Although I wanted to believe in the serendipity of me being here, my gut was telling me it was too risky in the winter. Maybe if I didn’t listen to my gut, I would have gone on the road and a bigger challenge would have emerged.
Maybe this was the little warning from the universe - for me to reflect when I feel I have serendipitous moments. Although I wanted to believe in the serendipity of me being here, my gut was telling me it was too risky in the winter. Maybe if I didn’t listen to my gut, I would have gone on the road and a bigger challenge would have emerged.
Sometimes a serendipitous moment isn’t for the reason we think it is, and we have to dig a little deeper to figure out their meaning. I'll remember what I'm calling my Northern Lights Moment when my instinct questions a serendipitous moment.
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