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The Magic of Aurora Borealis

How much is time worth?

By KJ AartilaPublished 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago 5 min read
7
The Magic of Aurora Borealis
Photo by Federico Bottos on Unsplash

The woman carried her cup of hot tea to sit outside in the cold air under the stars. She walked over to where her chair sat surrounded by snow. Her large dog waited patiently while she adjusted her seat and the blanket covering her lap.

Her dog, Lucy, a large, white, lop-eared dog, rested her head in the woman’s lap, waiting for ear scratches between sips of hot tea. It took both hands now to lift the cup safely to her lips. Her husband had passed three years ago, may he rest in peace, leaving Celeste and the dog to brave these Northern winters alone. About a year later, she discovered this intriguing phenomenon. These sessions allowed her and Lucy to live out here in this beautiful sanctuary a while longer. Together, they could manage a bit more time.

~~~

They waited under the stars for the dancing green light show to fill the sky. She loved living up here, the solitude, the peace, the beauty, but the constant ache of her body was making it hard to stay. She existed here for, and because of, these sustaining reprieves.

As she raised the steaming cup to her lips, she saw the flickers beginning in the sky to the North. Soon the whole sky was shimmering with the undulations. Before long, she and Lucy were engulfed in a dome of glimmering green light. Celeste could feel the healing warmth permeate her bones.

Intoxicated by the beautiful surroundings, the woman and the dog walked back to the house. The tingling energy buzzed though her body. It was time for sleep.

~~~

She awoke the next morning, having enjoyed a completely restful sleep. She enjoyed a good stretch, devoid of the usual aches and pains.

Well-rested and pain-free, Celeste hopped out of bed. She paced to the kitchen, Lucy trotting at her side, to prepare a good breakfast in order to sustain then through the busy day ahead.

While the bacon sizzled, Celeste sat down at the table to make her list of chores to get done over the next several days before the arthritic weakness set in again. Lucy sat and lolled at her like a puppy. She was ten years old now – a pretty good age for a large dog – but she wouldn’t be around forever. She would return to her pre-adult dog nature for the next few days. Exuberant and bounding. Celeste smiled.

After finishing a satisfying meal, Celeste grabbed her list, set to begin completing the tasks. The hardest ones first; those requiring the most strength to prepare for living well through the next pain-filled days ahead, between when the healing energy wore off and the next glorious light show.

This phenomenon of healing lights was incredible, but unpredictable in it’s pattern and it’s effects. After the fourth time she took advantage of this development, Celeste noticed her companion was having a more difficult time than she was in bouncing back after the reprieve offered by the green lights. Celeste tried to shut her in the house once, but Lucy carried on so – unlike her stoic nature – that Celeste decided she needed to let the dog out to partake with her. This is what Lucy wanted desperately, regardless of the consequences. Maybe she didn’t understand. Maybe she did. Celeste had a pretty good understanding of the toll it was taking on both of them, but the effects were much more apparent on the dog.

~~~

Celeste knew the next burst of sustenance was coming that night – she could feel the energy in the air. She gathered her aching body, prepared her cup of tea and walked gingerly outside with Lucy following to settle into her chair, blanket over her lap. She sipped her tea and waited as the green lights began flickering in the North, quickly engulfing them in the life-force. Celeste finished her tea, then the two traipsed off to bed, anticipating a good nights rest, and a refreshing morning. The feeling of strength and painlessness should last for days, as it was a bold show.

Celeste woke refreshed, eager to get to breakfast, and her list of chores. Lucy followed eagerly, also. This time, the invigorating energy lasted an entire week! Celeste was able to get so much done from her chore list, and even enjoyed a couple of long walks with Lucy in the crisp air. She was dreading the return of her aches and pains and insomnia. She knew it would take her several days to recover from this one. What she didn’t know is how hard it would hit Lucy this time.

~~~

Celeste rolled slowly from the bed, grimacing with each crack and snap of her joints. She found her feet, trudged to the kitchen for a simple breakfast of toast and juice. She also made coffee. Lucy startled them both with a loud cry as she tried to spring to her feet. Her spring was gone. She lay back down, waiting for the pain to subside, before she could slowly follow Celeste.

Lucy went to the front door to do her morning business outside. Upon coming back in, Celeste thought Lucy looked more forlorn than ever, with her head drooping and dark eyes flat. Even her tail was low, though she gave a wag for Celeste, before staggering into the other room to lay back down. Celeste knew Lucy wasn’t going to be able to take much more of this.

The two struggled through together until Celeste could feel the next show of lights coming on. They prepared as usual, going to sleep after Celeste finished her tea. The next morning, they woke up spry and refreshed. Celeste made a good breakfast, but instead of making a chore list, she packed up a few things, loaded them into the vehicle, got Lucy for their "ride” for their move into town. It was time.

Short Story
7

About the Creator

KJ Aartila

A writer of words in northern WI with a small family and a large menagerie.

My Substack

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Top insights

  1. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  2. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

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Comments (5)

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  • C. H. Richardabout a year ago

    Beautiful story. I could feel the bond between Celeste and Lucy. Well done 💚

  • A beautiful story of yours that I had missed, now I have read it

  • Babs Iversonabout a year ago

    Fabulous!!!😊💖💕

  • Cathy holmesabout a year ago

    Lovely story. Well done.

  • Heather Hublerabout a year ago

    Awww, this was such a bittersweet story. I loved that Celeste and Lucy got those special healing moments even though they didn't last. Beautiful work :)

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