Dancing Behind the Moon

I don’t quite remember who first told me about this, but it has always stuck with me. And, I eventually took some creative license and embellished it a little, for the sake of making it a bit more interesting. It never fails to touch hearts and elicit comments when I tell the story at a funeral or memorial.

There is a legend, it is said, that sometimes when loved ones pass on, they don’t necessarily ascend to heaven immediately. Instead, they pause to join with others behind the moon. The others are those who also recently passed away, but the group might include their loved ones who have left the earth ahead of them.

Those who were musicians on earth pick up their instruments and provide some heavenly music, inspiring a rhythm that starts feet tapping, heads bobbing, and fingers snapping. Before you know it, everyone becomes an instant friend and begins dancing.

These “moon dances” are more likely to occur during summer nights when there is a full moon in the sky. The air is sultry and warm, the intoxicating scent of flowers fills the air, the twinkling of fireflies rivals the twinkling of the stars, and clouds meander over the face of the moon. If you listen carefully, you can hear the music and the laughter barely audible in the night air, revealing themselves between the whishing of the night wind through the leaves.

And should you peer at the moon, you might discern movement along its perimeter. The phenomenon just might lead one to surmise that it’s the silhouettes of the recently deceased, who are dancing to their hearts’ content until such time as they are called for their final ascent through the pearly gates.

So … know this … that on a warm summer’s night, when the air is heavy with mist, when the cloying aroma of gardenias or magnolias invades your senses, and you hear music from the heavens and the sound of happy voices, it’s nothing to be concerned about or feared as unknown. Rather, you should smile, for it is an occasion to be happy and grateful.

It’s just your loved ones and their friends … dancing behind the moon.