A few
years ago a friend gave me this sign:
Except
that when I first read it, what I read was:
Good
friends are like STAIRS.
You don’t always see them,
but you know they are
always there.
I thought
it was an unusual quote, but as a gift from Kisi Watkins – one of my funniest
friends – even with my misreading of it, I still found meaning in it. Only
after about a week did I notice that it said STARS. Ahhhh, whole different
meaning entirely. (I had wondered how she knew I was such a klutz on
stairs?!?!?)
Tonight
after the sunset had finished and the night sky was beginning to sparkle, I
grabbed the dogs and went for a walk. I love FALL! The crisp evening air –
cool, but not yet cold. And this evening the sky was filled with stars.
The
neighborhood was mostly quiet – except for adorable neighbors I bumped into for
a quick “Hi” and a hug. Just me, the dogs, and the empty streets of Provo – and
the stars.
There’s
something about this time of year that makes the stars seem closer – and
bigger. And there’s something about spending some time alone with the stars and
the heavens that promotes soul-searching – especially on a Sunday night. With
some of the decisions facing me on my horizon, taking time out to be
contemplative is important. And as the stars flicker overhead, I find clarity
in my thoughts – and answers begin to come.
As I
walked back home I remember a song my mom sang that asks:
Would
you like to swing on a star?
Or
carry moonbeams home in a jar?
And be
better off than you are
Or would
you rather be a . . .
Then
the song asks if you’d rather be a mule, a pig, a fish, etc. OK, weird, I know
– but it is a cute little song.
And I
realized that although my life isn’t perfect, it’s mine. And I would rather be ME than a mule, a pig, a fish – or anyone else that I know. Because I wouldn’t
trade shoes with anyone – and I’m pretty sure no one else would trade shoes
with me either. We are each as unique as the stars in the sky – and it is up to
each of us to shine.
