I remember when my dad came home with a book. I can't quite remember the title but it showed you a new way to look at the constellations. I looked it over regularly and went out at night when I could. But grasping the concept of looking at stars in a certain pattern always left some doubt if I was looking at them (the constellations) correctly. I peered down into the book and picked a constellation. Held the book over my head against the black sky. Then it happened. There he was. In all of his magnificence. Orion. It sort of felt like the Helen Keller movie when she discovered that the signing she'd been doing actually meant something. I was looking at the stars in a way, that for thousands of years, the way other people saw them.
I followed his belt, then his sword. The two corner stars with their distinctly different colors jumped out at me. From that moment on. When I read or hear the word Orion, it takes me to a very special place in my childhood.
My dad has long been passed and myself now showing my children the heavens. It is still an awesome and inspiring moment when every new season comes around. We go outside and see mighty Orion looking down upon us.
