My Center of the Universe “Echo” Maine Tourmaline Necklaces, Gold

The Day My Dad
Showed Me How an Echo Works

For kids, dad is a thing of wonder. When you are 5, words are beginning to mean a lot, and 5-year-olds have a lot of questions. Dads answer important questions. dads also realize there are things they know that they might share with words that the 5-year-old knows nothing about.

Case in point, the day I learned about echoes. We were in a canyon. Dad recognized the potential. He said, “I’m going to show you an echo,” and he shouted “Hello!” and a voice came back with “Hello”. My five-year-old’s eyes widened. My mind suddenly filled with questions.

Dad yelled “Hello!” again, and again “Hello!” came back. Dad yelled “Where are you?” and the question came back. He said, “You try.” I yelled “Hello!” and a smaller high pitched hello came back.

My immediate belief was that there were two people down at the other end mocking us, playing with us. I remember looking hard trying to see where they were.

My Dad could see that I was believing someone was down at the far end responding. He played with that for a minute. Then he explained in words what an echo was and how it worked. To me, as a five-year-old, the idea of an echo was pure magic.

As adults, we can become blasé about echoes. We know what they are and how they work. Interestingly, gem mines are one of the places where echo potential lives. Gem mines are often up in the mountains with sheer cliffs created by mining. Admission, I’ve never tested the echo potential of any of the Maine gem mines I’ve visited. I’ve never had a five-year-old with me to create the excuse or opportunity.