Spectacular Sunset

I was sitting in the center of the wing on a flight to Chicago this past August and caught a glimpse of what may have been the most spectacular, dramatic sunset I have ever seen. I wish you could have seen it, it was inspiring. The next best thing - my recollection.

Imagine the land turning to dusk, the dark, dark gray, dull scene where you think there is land below, but you are unable to see the line between the clouds, the sky and the ground. Look up to see the pale blue of the night sky emerging. Out to the west, caught between the battle for darkness, you see a break in the clouds - it must be that since there is no earthly source of light that can create such a brilliant, deep red that bursts through the gaps of open sky.

Just as dramatic is the seductive orange glow breaking through another cloud layer above the red sunburst - with a dark black division between them. The clouds seem to form an unusual half sphere around the point where the sun is setting.

On the outer edge of the sphere are wisps of clouds, almost like free spirits, dazzling white against the orange-blue sky. Fingers of clouds are hanging in the air with their edges afire in the same angel white aspen-glow. Fanning out across the sky are beams of blue and yellow, as the fading sunlight is obscured or released, much like the rising sun on the flag of Japan.

As the sun sets further, the colors everywhere deepen, creating an ever sharper contrast as red, black, orange and blue come together. Off in the distance ahead is the anvil of a thunderstorm - whose lightening just becomes visible as the night sets. It is the edge of the storm, clear skies to the west and south, leaving that patch of sky entertainment center stage, clear to see and us clear of any danger.

Sights like this remind me of the majesty of our world and leave me in awe and wonder, plus a deep appreciation for my good fortune to enjoy it. I know you would have enjoyed the sight - I think you even would have found it relaxing - so I hope this simple recollection leaves you with some sense of the beauty of that moment that you can take from me.