perihelion

                        [ˌperəˈhēlēən]

 noun: the point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet at which it is closest to the sun

    It’s funny to think that a star 92.96 million miles away from the earth is vital to the survival of life on this planet. Without the sun we would simply be another rock in this vast emptiness of space, but we’re not because of her. She feeds the plants that give the world beautiful color and provides the creatures with nourishment needed for survival. During the day her touch brings us light and warms our backs and when she goes to sleep, the world is shrouded with a darkness that reveals the hidden treasures of the sky.

Stars cover the night sky trying to make up for the darkness of her absence. Like thousands of jewels speckled across the night sky. The daytime is beautiful and filled with shades of every color, yet something about the tiny stars that blanket the earth during the night is more beautiful than the sun with all her beauty. 

As a child I always wanted to be where the stars were. They fascinated me beyond belief, proof that there was so much universe we knew so little about. I’ve always wanted to learn everything there was to know about each star in the sky. Of course when I got older my dreams were crushed when I learned of how truly impossible my goal was. But, my obsession with space was never hindered, and now I was going to the stars. 

I applied to the Astronaut Candidate Program after going to college and getting my bachelor degree in biology. The day that my acceptance letter arrived I was so overwhelmed with happiness that I started crying tears of pure joy. My training took 2 long and grueling years, but it’s all going to be worth it when I finally got to be among the stars. 

When I was in school, nobody really understood me or my obsession. I was an outsider who would sneak up to my roof and stay up all night looking at the stars where I felt I truly belonged. In the space program I found an amazing group of friends who could relate to my longing to be in the unknown. We were all going to go on NASA’s first deep space mission together in only a couple months.

For months we prepared and trained the entire time I was giddy with anticipation. The day of the launch I awoke with so much excitement and bliss.

Today was the day I finally got to be where I belonged surrounded by people who truly understood me. My mother started crying as I hugged her goodbye. Her only child was leaving for 5 years. As saddened as I was by her pashein, I knew that I would see her again.

When I arrived at the launch site I geared up and me and my crewmates were escorted to the spaceship. We were led up a ramp amongst a crowd cheering for our departure into space. Today we would make, history the first manned mission outside of the solar system. Away from the clutch of the sun and her powers.

Taking our places in the cockpit, the ship launched. Finally the moment I had been waiting for my entire life was about to come.

"2 more miles until we are out of the earth's atmosphere and into space," my crew member informs me. 

You see the other funny thing about the sun is that although she is the bringer of life she also brings death. She reminds you of this in the way she burns your back with her rays, or how she dries up lakes and brings endless droughts to regions. When she eventually dies she will not just die a quiet death. No, she will engulf our entire solar system in her hot, fiery flames. She will take everyone down with her. 

"100 more feet until we are in space."

This was the moment, the happiest moment of my life. I would be in the stars any second now.

Suddenly, my entire body is engulfed in flames, the last thing I hear is my crew mates screams and the computer informing us only 10 feet until we are space.