Progeny of Stars

I recently listened to a podcast in which an astronomer was discussing what many of us learned in grade school; that our bodies are made up of elements created during the supernovae of stars. She pointed out one element, iron, that courses through our blood every day, helping to deliver oxygen to our cells so our metabolism can continue without interruption.

And of course, it is true, a truth so simple it's easy to overlook. Yes, yes, we are made of stars. What does that really mean?

But I started to think of it from the other point of view. What about those stars? Most people think of a supernova as the death of a star; it's ultimate end here in the universe. And yet, if we are made of the stuff of these stars, then they still exist in this life. In our lives. We are the children of stars, and they are our parents.

I like to think there was a star, some six billion years ago, that, while orbiting the center of its particular galaxy, started to daydream about the future. It knew one day its mass would become so great its own gravity would cause an implosion, and, with enough gravity, a subsequent explosion that would spew its remains out past its own galaxy into the murky dark beyond. But this did not sadden the star, for this star knew that explosion was only the beginning. From there, the elements created from deep inside its mass would swirl and mingle with the remnants of other stars. And eventually, billions of years later, these elements would organize themselves into complex organisms like humans, organisms who could laugh and cry and look up at the stars and wonder. Wonder how they came to be in this universe, as people, tied to a planet called Earth. And the star was content, for it knew exactly where these people came from. They came from deep inside the hearts of all the ancient stars.

If you are going to do your own star-gazing, you might like to accompany it with a glass of Champagne Jacquesson Cuvee No. 734 ($53). This was recommended to us by the owner of a small wine shop in the city. Once in the glass, it had bubbles that swirled almost exactly like a little tempest. It smelled clean and fruity, and initially tasted of sweet apple juice. The depth from the added pinot noir grapes was very evident, with a grapey tastes that almost bursts on your tongue. It was very smooth, and left almost no aftertaste.

Score: She gives it a 3.5, he gives it an almost 3.

Recommended: It was talked up to be one of the best champagnes in the world. It's certainly not that, but it ain't bad.