Once (Twice) in a Lifetime Experience

Living in St. Charles, we were very near the path of totality for the Great American Eclipse - 2024.
In 2017, we were able to travel to Casper, Wyoming, to view the Great American Eclipse. This event was made special as it was enjoyed with family: Dan, Tomasita, Randy, Rick, and Carol!
The 2024 event was a bittersweet one, for brother Randy was no longer with us. He was so very much looking forward to playing host for the 2024 event – due to the path of totality went through Carbondale, Illinois. Carbondale is home to the University of Illinois – Randy’s alma mater. He wanted to revisit hos old haunts as we watched the eclipse.
It was decided that Dan, Tomasita, Carol, and Rich would gather bear, but not in Carbondale to watch this event. In honor of Randy, Rich and Carol’s good friend, Marie Seltz was invited to accompany the group.
We decided to travel to Trinity Lutheran Church, Horse Prairie (Red Bud), Illinois. Rich was a principal/teacher there in 1977-1980. Randy and Dan both visited him there and it was a place to see the total eclipse without a crowd.
Tomasita read the verse for the day:
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. – 1 Chronicles 29:11
How appropriate!
Words are inadequate to fully share the experience of the moon covering the sun as we:
In 2017, we were able to travel to Casper, Wyoming, to view the Great American Eclipse. This event was made special as it was enjoyed with family: Dan, Tomasita, Randy, Rick, and Carol!
The 2024 event was a bittersweet one, for brother Randy was no longer with us. He was so very much looking forward to playing host for the 2024 event – due to the path of totality went through Carbondale, Illinois. Carbondale is home to the University of Illinois – Randy’s alma mater. He wanted to revisit hos old haunts as we watched the eclipse.
It was decided that Dan, Tomasita, Carol, and Rich would gather bear, but not in Carbondale to watch this event. In honor of Randy, Rich and Carol’s good friend, Marie Seltz was invited to accompany the group.
We decided to travel to Trinity Lutheran Church, Horse Prairie (Red Bud), Illinois. Rich was a principal/teacher there in 1977-1980. Randy and Dan both visited him there and it was a place to see the total eclipse without a crowd.
Tomasita read the verse for the day:
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. – 1 Chronicles 29:11
How appropriate!
Words are inadequate to fully share the experience of the moon covering the sun as we:
- Were awed by the pulsating of the sun's corona
- Saw the colors around us deepen
- Felt the drop in temperature
- Viewed the stars and planets in the daytime
- Saw the street light illuminate
- Heard the stillness of the day as even the bords fell silent
- Witnessed a 360-degree sunset surrounding us
- Shared this with our family and friends
- Praised God for His salvation as we celebrated Randy’s life on earth and his eternal life in heaven.