This post is for those people in those moments who, like me, have had a long, hectic day at work and struggling to muster every last ounce of energy to make whatever moments that’s left of the day…count.

Ever had those days?

It all began, in fact, yesterday, when I  heard on the radio that there would be a rare lunar eclipse the next day and I wanted to catch that moment with the family.  So you can say that I began the day, with the end in mind. In fact, very much in mind.  But it was to be a typically non-typical day  – a day where I had wanted some structure but eventually saw me darting between in-house meetings, report writing and driving out for a meeting before finally settling back in the office just in time for that sip of cold stale coffee but not before the boss called for a ‘quick’ meeting. Yes…those kind of days.

Imagine my joy when I finally hopped into the car and drove off to fetch the family. This was greeted by a whiff of the sickly familiar smell of the trans-boundary haze from a our friendly neighbour. Nevertheless, I trudged on, hoping for the best.  To make matters worse,the news reported that the best time to see the lunar eclipse would be between 6:20pm and 6:30pm. After that, the penundra would be less obvious. At 6:30pm, I was still at least 5 km from home (seems like 50km in the heavy peak hour traffic). When we finally reached home at 6:40pm, my heart sank as I saw the haze shrouding the sky in a thicker cloak of grey.

As I was shutting the windows and turning on the air-purifier, there were a torrent of unpleasant adjectives forming in my mind towards the haze and whoever that has started it.  Finally after some pacifying by the wife, I cajoled myself to forget about the blood Moon and instead settle into the normal routines of a typical weekday night.

Deep within, I was reluctant to let this rare moment go.  So I mustered the last ounce of energy, picked up the tripod, the camera and marched outdoors after dinner…with the daughter gamely in tow.  I was determined to witness this astronomical sighting with my daughter. Setting up the tripod, I glanced up at the darkened sky and behold, a pink-coloured Moon was staring at me. “It’s still here!” I exclaimed and beckoned Dana to come look.  She was visibly thrilled.  I quickly adjusted some settings on my DSLR and snapped a few shots. Then, as suddenly as it came, it left.  Our Moon is now back to normal…the magic of the moment, gone.

Ever had one of those days where you set out to seize the day and make it memorable for the family? Well, just as ‘getting the Moon’ may seem impossible and mustering energy to make the day a wee-bit special requires sacrifice, remember that it’s not the Moon they (our kids) are after but rather the moment.  Just like the moment where Papa overcame some odds to make the night a wee bit more special…by getting her ‘the Moon’. For me, it has made all the difference.

The ‘Blood Moon’, seen over Western Singapore on 08 October 2014, 8:34pm.

Moments after, the magic’s gone and it’s back to the moon we know, craters and all…