dean jordan
Aug 23, 2017 · 5 min read

My Total Eclipse story. . .

This amazing place.

By now, everyone is sick to death, either of what’s really going on, or at least, their own perception of what is going on. Whether you believe, as most of us do, that some how, some way, a sick, egomaniac, with sad narcissistic tendencies is now our president, or you believe that a failed businessman is what you need to lead us into the future to take back an imaginary time that never existed, we all know, intrinsically, something is not right. This, is not normal.

Let me tell you about my trip to see the total eclipse of the sun. Myself and some dear friends, decided to go north into the path of totality, and watch it happen. We had decided to join friends at the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School at the very top of Georgia.

Driving north from Gainesville, Florida, we took interstate 75, leaving on Saturday, and heading up to Cleveland, Georgia to visit friends that live there. Traffic was mild, though we got off the interstate just outside Macon, as the traffic started increasing, had an incredible drive up, very pleasant, marred only by the many confederate flags flowing in the breeze. Some of these flags were so large, you’d think there must be a confederate car lot down below. Despite the fact that this flag was rarely used in our great country after the civil war, its resurgence, and revival started in the 50’s and 60’s to show opposition to the civil rights movements, marking distinct racist overtones, this symbol of hate, continues to be proudly displayed by ignorant racist, scared of the future and mostly uneducated about the past.

As our conversations on various subjects continued, naturally, current events marked many a topic, and these flags, reminded us of how far we have to go, in healing that which our current leaders seem unable to grasp. Each day brings a new insult to our senses, and pummels us with non sensical acts, of what we hope, is a dying breed of people steeped in their own juices of the past, who fear a place where families can raise their children without fear and we can all move forward to that promise of the American dream.

Arriving in Cleveland, and driving up to our friends property, on top of a small mountain, was and always is, like some sort of dream. The property has been improved and maintained much like a state park, with a very friendly ranger, camping areas, a delightful house, an old lady with Koi, much art, and plenty of wild deer. In short, paradise.

The drive from there on Monday was almost traffic free until we reached 441, and briefly encountered the huge throngs headed to see the eclipse. Our leader and driver of the car i was in, quickly negotiated the terrain, did a big loop, and returned the way we’d come in, back to a private yard, past the completely clueless state troopers, whom organizers later told us in meetings,had bragged how they’d handle the crowds, because of their vast experience with football games. We all laughed at the shared experience of the hubris of the police. The police were rude, belligerent, and absolutely clueless as to what people should do. No problem. We went to a private residence that was parking cars at a little known entrance to the school, had a delightful picnic, played frisbee, parked cars, joked, and sipped a little beer. Thus began why i’m writing this at all.

What followed was something that some of us have or may have forgotten about. I noticed immediately the vast mix of colors, cultures, families, couples, people from everywhere, coming together to enjoy a spectacle of epic proportions. There was bluegrass music, vendors selling food, helpful people everywhere while people of all types and ethnicities frolicked or relaxed as kids ran around playing and being kids.

Where we were, up on a hill near trees(for we had been told, we MUST be near trees to see a phenomena ) the amazing mix of people and how easy and gentle every one was getting along contrasted so greatly with recent news, it reminded me of why this country is so great, so amazing and why so many have come here to start over, or just to live, or just to be.

So, yes, i’m posting this as a FEEL GOOD MONDAY™ post for that very reason. There is hope. Please remember, we are a young country, we can heal. The opposition, which is weak, scared and sad, are fewer. A sleeping giant may indeed have been awoken. Beware fascism, and words of war. Love is the answer, it always has been.

Regardless of your faith, feelings, or understanding of what our problems are, please rejoice in what we know to be true, there are far more good people in this world than bad.

Reject those that would lead us to disagree with that idea, and embrace your neighbors, for long has it been proven that power corrupts absolutely. Absolute power the most.

Feel good about this country. It’s people are what make it great, not the crippled system that has been corrupted by the rich, not our electoral system which has been usurped by the powerful. We can change and we must change for the way forward, is not the way back.

Make America Great Again????? Let’s all work together to continue making America what it can be, and never, ever forget, E Pluribus Unum. For, United we stand, and Divided, we fall.

I have always rejected that contemptible saying America, love it or leave it, in favor of America, love it and make it better together. Perhaps not a great bumper sticker, but can’t we be a bit deeper than a pithy saying that is negative and intolerant? Those that would celebrate their ignorance we must move beyond. False patriotism is not a virtue, ignorance and fear will never raise us up, hope, love and rejection of false ideals move us forward. Fear IS the mind killer.

I end this with two quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King.

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”

For me, when the stars came out, during this most awesome of events, my heart broke open to all the love around me, one race, human, united in awe, for that moment, a shared experience.

Thank you, America, I love my country, i do not love our leaders. We have far to go, but we have not lost our way. Stay strong, always speak to strangers, and never, ever quit believing . . .

dean jordan gainesville florida August 23, 2017 after learning the true meaning of the word Awesome.

photo credit NBC news

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dean jordan

Written by

Kite maker, visionary, artist, provocateur, poser, doer, maker, burner. aoxomoxoa

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