“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”  ~William Shakespeare

Dear Universe,

About ten years ago, I saw a shooting star for the first time in my life.  It was a balmy summer night and I was walking to my car when the brightest flash of light I’d ever seen flew across the dark sky.

It was a moment I’ll never forget.  I stopped in my tracks.  And I did the only thing I know how.

I made a wish.

And as much as I looked for nights and years after that, I never got to see one again.

Until last night.

I came home after a long day of voting, commuting, teaching, driving and got out of my car anxious to run inside since it was cold night.

Except I didn’t.  The whole ride home I had been thinking something over and coming to no clear conclusion of my own, I asked for a sign.  Moments later when I got out of the car something made me stop and look up at the sky.  It was a clear night and just as I picked my star to make a wish on you, Universe, had another plan for me.  A star blazed across the sky, stealing my breath, making me smile, making me wish.

Most people believe shooting stars are a good omen.  Some believe that a wish made on a shooting star is even more powerful than an ordinary one and will come true within thirty days.  They can be a sign of birth, change, a new beginning or an indication of better things ahead.

It was an even more beautiful sight than I remembered.  It felt hopeful and reassuring and I took it as the sign I had just asked for.  Thank you for that.

I hope it’s not another ten years before I see one again.  Because the world seems a whole lot brighter with shooting stars lighting up the night sky, winking at all of us down below.

With Gratitude,

A