When a total eclipse of the sun cast its shadow across the United States in 2017, I was a busy man. While it is true that I am fascinated by all things astronomical, I just couldn’t be bothered to make time to journey to an optimal location to observe the eclipse in totality.

After all, I reasoned, I could simply step outside during lunchtime to witness the partial, almost total eclipse as was visible from my office…and that’s just what I did.

Sure, it was mildly interesting: the slight dimming of the summer sun, the eerie grayness, and the unusual phenomenon of people in our industrial park outside looking at the sky.

My son Cyrus did make the trip to the zone of totality, in typical Johnson fashion making it into a business trip. Afterwards, I declared that witnessing “almost” totality was probably just about as good as the real thing. He politely disagreed.

His words stuck with me, so I decided to take a few days off to make the trip as North America was again treated to a solar eclipse this year. Lunchtime on April 8, 2024, found me sitting in the town square of Shelbyville, Ind., staring at the sky.

As the moon’s shadow steadily encroached on the sun it felt no different than 2017, until…

Bam! The sun went out. The collective gasp of everyone in the square reflected amazement at this incredible, other-worldly (literally) sight. For over four minutes we all stared while streetlights came on, crickets sang, and solar flares danced before our eyes. Everyone’s mouths hung open until once again…

Bam! With a blinding flash the sun was back. It was over, and those of us who made the effort to seek out this amazing event would never forget it.

The moral of this little anecdote is simple: “almost” is almost never the same as the real thing. Not even close.

I thought of this as Kevin Martin of Hafkey Business Solutions recounted his recent adventure. To mark his 60th birthday, he decided to hike the Grand Canyon.

Not some of the Grand Canyon, mind you, but the whole thing, top to bottom, and back up again, all in one day. He invited friends to come with, but friend after friend demurred. At last someone agreed to join him. That friend might not have been in the best shape for the hike, but he was willing.

When hike day came, it became apparent that Kevin was better suited to the task than his companion.

“Go on ahead; I don’t want to slow you down,” said his friend.

“No,” replied Kevin. “If I leave you behind you’ll cheat and not cover the whole distance.”

Kevin stayed with his friend. It was dark when they returned to the rim of the canyon, but they had both finished, a significant accomplishment for Kevin and a real milestone for his friend.

Would it have been the same if they had hiked some of the way, or “almost” all of the way? No. In real life, there are no prizes for almost.

Life is meant to be lived. Go to the concert instead of just listening to the recording. Ask the girl out on a date, in person. Run the marathon. Climb the mountain. Go to Germany for drupa instead of watching the videos.

Life is just too short for “almost.”