what happens to the sun when it sets?



"Mommy where does the sun go when it sets?", my daughter once asked me. I told her it goes to shine at the other side of the world. "Why?", she asks further. "So that other people can see clearly in the light of day and feel warm from the cold."

I don't know why, but sunsets have this strange effect of making me feel lonely and sad. It was said that one of the best sunsets are seen here in Manila Bay. And I've seen quite a few, it is quite majestic how the sun seem to touch the water, you could almost hear it sizzle from the scorching heat. Splashes of yellow gold seem to scatter the sky, as if night and day are bidding each other goodbye.

I guess, I consider sunset as an ending of a glorious day. Like a child wanting to play all day, I now have to go inside and wash up before dinner starts - we all know how sad that was then. When darkness sets, I have to confront my fears again, the ones I'm hiding from. But I am starting to learn how to deal with fear. I remembered a long long time ago as a child, I was so afraid of the "monster" inside my bedroom cabinet. I would bury myself inside the thick blanket and sweat all night paralyzed in fear, wondering when that monster would come out and grab me. But one time I got so fed up with it and decided to confront it. I opened the cabinet door wide open and dared the monster to come out and get me right now because I am really fed up with him! I waited and waited and nothing happened. I had the courage to look inside and guess what's there? only my clothes! That was a turning point for a nine-year-old. I realized that sometimes you have to look fear in the eye and tell him to go scare someone else! It worked for me then. I hope it works for me again.

I particularly like this quote from Elenor Roosevelt, You Learn By Living. 1960
"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself. "I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along."

As if by coincidence, I came across this piece of paper with some words written on it as I was cleaning our room this morning. It says, "It is not what we do for God that matters but what we will allow Him to do for us."

Slowly but surely I begin to realize that for every sunset in my life there is a promise of sunrise. I recall a day when I was feeling particularly sad and my daughter Pia, being a sensitive child that she was said, "Don't be sad mommy, I will take care of you." I looked at her cherubic face and I could see how earnest and concerned she looked. I said, "thank you honey, I guess I just miss the sun." She then says, "don't worry it will come back, it's just over at the other side of the world, so that other people can see clearly in the light of day and feel warm from the cold." And just like that my fears seem to have melted away.

Comments

SusieJ said…
This is a lot to ponder. I will take this to sleep with me. And, you've been tagged.
Anonymous said…
a pretty thot provoking post...i also dont like sunset..its reminder of whats gone..and an end...

loved the lines of roosevelt...
u r a true thinker didi..gave me something to ponder on
Unknown said…
This is a beautiful post - and a reminder when we feel afraid of the dark.
Jan Pieter said…
your posted snip...Slowly but surely I begin to realize that for every sunset in my life there is a promise of sunrise.

This is also happened to our life, Every sadness there is a promise of happiness as long as we allow HIM to live in our life. Like the river flow that never stop. God bless!
Sophiagurl said…
**SusieJ - thanks for the tag, will come up with a post about it very soon.

**Dream Catcher - little brother, i'm glad to note that you don't have a liking for sunsets too. great thinker? hmmmm... that's the first time someone told me that - mostly i'm called a great worrier and sometimes warrior when the occassion calls for it. hehe

**Pam - yup, one of my most triumphant moments in life was conquering those critters in the bedroom closet. you'd be glad to note that they haven't come back after that =)

**Pieter - "every sadness there is a promise of happiness as long as we allow HIM to live in our life." very true and blessings to you too=)
surjit singh said…
A very insightful post which is full of hope and optimism.After reading the post I just sat for five minutes with my eyes closed and thought about the noble message it has imparted to me.Thanks and good luck.
Anonymous said…
sunset sometimes makes me sad too...but as your daughter says it will come again another day...
Anonymous said…
Lovely post and full of hope and something to ponder.
Sunset: a time for reflection, peace and tranquility and the knowledge that the sun will continue to set each day adding to our memories and the knowledge that with sunrise a new day beckons, and who knows what it holds?
God Bless you my friend :o)
cotojo
Sophiagurl said…
**Surjit - i am glad that i was able to impart some positive message to you. you're most welcome.

**Sweet Girl - you really are optimist. that's a sure way to meet life head on.

**Cotojo - thank you for giving me a whole new perspective of sunsets. God bless you too!
Unknown said…
That's what I am saying. I will be just on the other side where the sun never sets. Matagal pa yun! Beautiful post I love it.
Sophiagurl said…
***Norie - Dad, why are you so eager to leave me? =( i'm glad you loved it, your comments mean a lot to me. I love you!

Popular Posts