Since I was born in late August of 1951, there have been 25,651 sunsets, most of which I’ve failed to observe for one reason or another. An equal amount of sunrises have also been ignored, although I was born too late for the first one. The sun has always been a source of energy and happiness for me, although I enjoy the peaceful darkness. Lives are measured by sunrises and sunsets even though they are often hidden from sight. These are the only two things that are guaranteed every day of our lives, but I’m guilty of taking them for granted. I’ve gotten to witness beautiful sunrises during my morning runs, have seen one from the top of a volcano, from beaches all over the world, and admired several on cruise ships. In most cases, however, I sleep through them.

We’ll now make a point to enjoy our Florida beach sunsets with picnics on Tuesday night and from our lanai this time of year. We can lounge in the pool chairs and experience the colorful moment as we realize that our time for seeing them is slowly ticking away. We are indeed in the sunset of our lives so we have to savor each precious moment. Some are spectacular while others are ruined by clouds, smoke, and rain. Ours are often enhanced by the sands of the Sahara as they float through our skies from thousands of miles away at certain times of the year. I would say that overall I’ve seen more sunsets than sunrises in my lifetime. 

My mother was fixated on sunsets and sunrises in her retirement years, often videotaping them from her Orange Beach balcony when they would winter in Florida. I thought it was rather silly at the time, but aging has a way of awaking your senses. Maybe she thought that it would extend her life by watching them again and again? They are one of the most popular posts on Facebook, as everyone wants to show off the beauty of where they live whether exotic or not. Sunsets and Sunrises over Indiana can be just as stunning as those in Maui, Bali, or Tahiti. Everyone is trying to capture and preserve these two special events every day, regardless of where they are on earth. It’s perhaps captured in this song from the musical and movie Fiddler on the Roof, written by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick

“Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze”

“Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laiden with happiness and tears”