The Song of Sqia'lon Seven

The Telescope

     "Here you go my dear," my grandfather spoke softly as he handed be the brass telescope that had mesmerized me my entire life. "This is a special telescope. I've had since I was  a young boy. With this telescope, I was able to see the beauty of the universe  beyond our tiny home called Earth."

     With shaking hands, I held the telescope with both hands as best as I could. It was quite heavy and I could barley see above it with so many other brass parts and gadgets in the way, but I didn't mind. I was smiling from ear to ear. My grandfather chuckled softly as he helped me set the telescope down and adjust it properly to face the full, golden moon out that warm, July evening.

     After many quick glances into telescope and adjusting it to the perfect coordinate, my grandfather stepped aside for me to have my first look. I leaned in with my right eye and looked into the lenses.

     The moon. Deep craters covering every meter of its surface. The gray and white surface seemed to glisten by the reflection of  the sun's light. I stood there for a moment; observing the beauty of the moon in the brass telescope. When I finally stepped away , I could feel hot tears running down my cheeks. Tears from looking at absolute beauty. My grandfather wiped away my tears and smiled softly.

    "You will see more than the beauty of the moon with this telescope, Sophie. Never lose you sense of wander."

     "I won't." I replied back with a smile.

     "You know, this telescope is quite special." He whispered softly.

     "Grandfather, what do you mean? Are you suggesting this telescope is magical or something?"

     He shook his head. "No, but remember what Walt Disney once quoted-It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

    I stood there in bewilderment. My grandfather quickly caught on and pointed towards a little indention on the side of the telescope. I leaned in closer and squinted my eyes to see the script.

USA

    "I don't understand. Isn't that just to tell where the telescope was made?" I asked.

     "Nope. Not even close. You will understand one day. Just remember, it's kind of fun to do the impossible." He replied.

    Later on that year, my grandfather died from old age in his sleep.

 

     It had been years since I visited my grandparent's lake house. The last time I visited was when my grandfather had given his most valuable possession-his telescope- for my ninth birthday. I remember shortly after my grandfather passed away, I left the telescope here in an old hall closet inside. I couldn't bare to look at it at home. It brought tears and me replaying the memories of us looking at dusty,astronomy books he had collected over the years.

     Now here I was again almost seven years later. As we drove up in our yellow, 1965 Volkswagen, the memories of bar-b-ques and running around with sparklers as fireworks shimmered above our heads flooded my mind. I could feel tears building up in my eyes, but I held them back. This was suppose to be a weekend getaway to celebrate the Fourth of July, not a time to grieve for old times.

     "We are here!" My mom announced to me and my twin brother Scott. "Everyone grab a bag and start u packing once we get inside. We don't know when the rest family and guest are coming."

      As my father cut off the engine, all four doors swung open as we all headed towards the trunk to grab our overnight bags. It was slightly cloudy, yet hot July day. A slight breeze made the branches of the trees wave and wind chimes sing in the distance. I could hear laughs and the splashing of water in the distance as people were enjoying their Fourth of July holiday. The aroma of food being cooked on the grill made my mouth start to water. I was suddenly interrupted by my growling stomach.