The Moon Sisters

Every night at midnight, the purple clouds came out to dance with the blushing sky. One by one forming a different shape every second. Some shapes were similar, but you would never see the same shape twice. It all started at dusk. Kids filled the neighborhoods with play and laughter as they scurried home before first light. Down at the city center, nestled in the middle of a ring of tall redwoods, sat the city park. On the South end; the local little league football team played at home against their rivals. On the north end is what looks like a triplets convention. Groups of three with like faces; sit waiting for the sunset spectacular. The streets lined with cars whose drivers honked constantly, because they sat bumper to bumper for miles. The drivers believed that honking would make traffic move faster. But there was no magic willing to aide in that favor. It’s end of business for the blue collars and just like that; the city came to life. Metro buildings started spewing out overworked and underpaid humans, who were anything but eager to stay a minute longer. Crowds from one building went one way. Crowds from another building went the other, until all the restaurants, bars, and public parking lots were at max capacity.

Slowly, as the sun was approaching the horizon. Through a heavy thick of white clouds, nearly perfectly aligned; three moons light the night sky. We have come to know them as the moon sisters. According to historical recordings, the sisters were once human. They were beautiful. Bodies that of goddesses, hair the color midnight black and eyes of the deepest brown. Three years apart from one to the next. The oldest walked with her head held high to show mental strength to her younger siblings. This was important to her as they have been under her wing since both their mother and father died during a missionary battle. The middle sister, well she was the quiet one of the three. It always seemed as though she was in her own little world. Little did anyone know that she, of the three carried the heaviest heart. Not only did she have to keep up with her older sister; but she also had to be strong for her younger sister. Then the carefree bubbly baby sister. She always felt complete and invincible with her sisters by her side.

The sisters were good doers. But it wasn’t always that way. Being orphaned at such a young age they had to fend for themselves. Seeking for shelter, food, and warmth on their own. They ate out of trash piles, made shelters whatever they found in nature, and found a way to make fire. Until one day while eating dinner the youngest sister, noticed that they were not alone. A small family of four sat not far from them. Picking out what was edible from the same trash pile they pulled from. The sisters were not the first to take from the pile nor were they the last. That poor family didn’t have much to choose from. The youngest sister taps the oldest on her shoulder and shrugs a hint to look over towards the family at the pile. She didn’t know what her baby sister was hinting at. Then as her sister gathers her food, gets up, tilts her head in the direction she was headed; the other two sisters follow. The sisters went to sleep hungry that night.

The next morning the sisters felt that doing good was their purpose because it made them feel whole. As time went on and the sisters grew older; they were known for their love, kindness, and selflessness. They hadn’t had much, but what they had, they’d share. They gave shelter to the homeless. Food to the hungry. Aide to the sick. Until one night, the sisters realized that they are getting too old and frail to continue. This was one of their deepest fears. Worried about how the underprivileged will survive without help. Each sister said a quiet prayer in their heads. “Dear God, I promise to surrender if you give what life I have left to my sisters.” What the sisters didn’t realize was that they all were saying the exact same prayer.

At the very second that those prayers ended, there was a rumble in the earth. Suddenly, a horde of purple clouds streaked the night sky, and a bright light approached them. From above, a stern yet caring voice says, “I am sorry my children, but I cannot take any of you. For you asked of me the same wish. Therefore, I cannot grant your wishes. Instead, I will give each of you an extra ten years to continue your work. I will also give you each one grace to help you along the way. The three graces are the ability to heal, the ability to create fire and move water, and the third grace, was the ability to influence emotions and the mind.” Unexpectedly, their wrinkles fade, grey strands darken, and the appearance of gravity taking course no longer showed. The sisters gasp at the change. The thought of living longer lives lifted so much weight from their shoulders. And although they were shocked, they were very grateful. They each bowed and said, “Thank you Father… Thank you!”

God demanded only one thing in return. The sisters did not hesitate. Humbly the three continued, “anything Father, whatever you ask of us. It would be an honor.” God instructed the three that in ten years, the women are to return to the place of his son’s birth to find three new sisters willing and capable to continue the sisters work when God calls them home. As the clouds and light started to fade away God said, “you will not have to search much; their souls will be tied to yours. You will feel when they are close.” That night ended with echoes of God’s voice being the last thing they heard and stars in the midnight sky being the last thing they saw.

Knowing that they were on borrowed time, the sisters split the earth into three sections, making each a personal mission to care for and how. Their plan was to help end as much hunger, illness, and war as possible while they could. There was just one problem. The graces that were given to each of them were not the same. So, they knew it wouldn’t be as efficient working together in the same place at the same time. The decision was made, and the sisters parted ways. Each taking on a third of earths land to look after for the following three years. When the three years were up, the sisters would meet for a few months to update one another and a little R&R. Every three years the sisters would switch to the next section of land that they have not yet secured with their individual graces.

Ten years later the sisters went back to the motherland to where the only begotten son of God was born to an untouched maiden. The trio gathered at the town’s center. Well into their nineties, the sisters didn’t look a day over forty thanks to God’s graces. One of the sisters noticed that she felt something urging her to go to her right. Almost as if she was being pulled by some type of magnetic force. The closer she got to the source, the stronger the pull. Then! She was halted by an overwhelming feeling of wholeness. As if there was a void in her soul that was finally filled. A void that she did not know was there.

When she came to, she looked up and a young woman stood just inches from her. “Hi, I’m Zamari. Are you her?” the young lady asks the confused sister. “Her?” the sister asked. “Yes. Her! God came to me and my sisters last night and said that tonight he will have a job for us. That we should expect a Demigod to visit with instruction.” “Demigod? Me a demigod? Oh no no no, I believe there may be something lost in translation.” The sister says in a daze. “For instruction, yes. But not as a demigod” she said anxiously. A few minutes later, the other sisters catch up, but neither of them was alone.

They each found their soul’s missing piece. The heroines stood in ah their apprentices. One because of their undeniable beauty, two the connection between the six of them was almost overwhelming. Triplets, Zamari, Zarina, Zendaya looked at each with so much affirmation, as if they answered a question that was not yet asked. In fact, there was something different about the triplets and the sisters felt it. It was like they can feel what the other were feeling and thinking all without saying a word. “Amazing!” the oldest sister shrieks with excitement. The triplets looked at each with confused looks on their faces. Then Zendaya walks up to the oldest moon sister, stares into her eyes and as if a conversation has ended; the two closed their eyes as their foreheads met. Zendaya announces to the others; “they are connected as we are.” Then sighs of relief as they each shared in the same gesture.

The Moon Sisters taught the triplets everything they knew in a matter of a few days. All there was left to do was pass on the three graces. However, the sisters had no idea how to do this. One of the sisters looks up and asked. “Father, we need your guidance, please show us the way. How are we to do this?” And as with every prayer, God always answers. With that, one at a time, each sister turned into an orb that hovered where her heart once was. The orbs were so bright, they looked almost like little stars. And all at once, the three orbs flew into the hearts of their kindred souls. Each passing on their graces, then floated off into the night sky. Forming what is now known as The Moon Sisters.

God told astronomers to name the sisters Luna, Ariel, and Rhea. Legend has it that on the twenty-third year of every century, the celestial trio is to bless another three with their graces. But this will only happen on the last full moon of the winter quarter. It just happens to be the twenty-third year into the new millennium. Each hour the three lunar sisters moved closer to a total lunar eclipse of the moons. With every inch they became closer, the air got hotter, and the sky was changing colors. What started as deep midnight blue, streaks of red were forming. As if someone took a paint brush and watercolors and lightly brushed the sky with it. This is the first sign of the Spring Equinox. And although tonight started just as any other Friday; tonight, is like no other. For tonight is the night, when Luna, Ariel, and Rhea, are expected to return.