What do you see when you look up to a
clear night sky? A cluster of stars! The title of this post is not about the
romance fiction book written by John Green, instead is a memory. I remember one
night when I was very young, and I clutched my mother's hand tightly as we
walked out into the dark night. I recall that it was long after my bedtime as
the clock chimed nine o'clock. I was wearing my favourite Pokemon slippers and
matching pajamas, and my free hand desperately clung to my boaster. We sat down
in the back lawn together and she effortlessly picked me up and seated me
gently on her lap. I noticed everything on the earth around me… the ant hill,
the dandelions, and even the faint outlines of the tree trunks. She leaned her
head forward when she whispered softly in my ear to look up. That was the first
time I ever really noticed the stars. I remember being overwhelmed. I could not
possibly count all the glittering sparkles that illuminated the heavens and
glistened softly next to the moon. At that moment I tried to reach out and
grasp one, but my arms were not long enough so I asked my mother. I begged her
for just one for my birthday. She chuckled, I could not get her to promise.
"Aim for the moon, Dannie,
because even if you miss it you'll end up amongst the stars." I did not
understand exactly what she meant. Did she think that I was going to throw
something at the moon? Although, since that night I have come to cherish this
moment. Amongst the aggravation and mishaps of the day-to-day life, we have
never stopped to appreciate the little things. We strive to achieve our goals,
but by working so hard to achieve them, we become blind to the beauty in the
world around us. It is important to work hard and have a dream to strive for,
although we often fail to see that, it is not always a big disaster to fall
short of our goals. The moon may be the first thing we notice when we gaze into
the night sky, but the stars shine just as brightly and project as much light
too. They are always together, side-by-side, never leaving each other’s sight.
Just like my mother and me when I was young.
Since that night, I have outgrown my
Pokemon slippers and my boaster has gone. My mother still teases me on my
birthday with cards that have stars, amused by my naive desire that she could
really reach into the sky and grasp a star for me. Seriously I draw back my
curtains and gaze up upon the heavens. They appear more beautiful each night,
and I often wonder if I am the only one gazing upon one particular star at that
very moment. Each night as I stare, I realize that each one of us is like the
stars, and each plays an integral role in creating the solar system. Each one
of us shines brightly because of our unique talents, but it is when we come
together that we light up the black night. How awesome is that.
Just for a moment tonight, look up
with an open heart and gaze with a child's awed stare. Perhaps you'll wonder if
they have always been there, unwavering, and shining proudly. Reach out and try
to grasp one, and if you do not, never give up trying. Remember that "We
all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun." - John Lennon.
DFTBA,
Dann'
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