Close Encounters

Even though I was employed at my hometown’s theater at the time, I never saw the film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” when it was first released in 1977. It wasn’t because I didn’t have the chance. I was simply terrified to watch director Steven Spielberg’s movie about Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)!

About 12 years later, I was on vacation in South Dakota touring Badlands, Mt. Rushmore and Spearfish Canyon (a locale for the film “Dances With Wolves”). The person with whom I was traveling suggested an excursion into adjacent Wyoming, home to Devils Tower National Monument.

Miles before arriving, we could see the solitary butte soaring 1,267 feet skyward. From a distance, it looked impressive. Once at its base, Devils Tower was phenomenal. While there, I learned that the finale of “Close Encounters” was set at this location.

I was clueless to the reference, as I still hadn’t seen the movie!

Fast forward to 2008 when I had my major spiritual awakening and discovered my psychic gifts. The intensity of the experience left me both exhausted and excited. As a result, I became aware of other spiritual entities and dimensions. And, I wasn’t afraid to learn even more.

A few months later, I was talking with a friend about movies and I mentioned that I’d never seen “Close Encounters.” He was floored. “Tony, you of all people, need to see that movie!”

In 2008, more than 30 years after it was first ushered into theaters, I finally saw “Close Encounters.” I was mesmerized! I connected with the main character played by Richard Dreyfuss, who was being led to pursue his own unusual life journey. Furthermore, I was moved to tears by the final moments that took place at Devils Tower.

Since then, I have watched the movie at least a dozen times, each viewing as powerful as the first. Its message of how communication with beings from other worlds can unite us in our own humanity is thought provoking, if not, hopeful.

Recently, I was digging through a box of old photos and found one that was taken when I visited Devils Tower in 1991. It made me ponder: maybe, it’s time to go back.

Love and light,

Tony