The stars

When night falls, we can be sure of one fact: there are stars in the sky that could be visible. Some days, the clouds obscure them. Our sense of wonder is unsatisfied. You know there is beauty to be seen, but the complexities of the skies and weather get in the way. The clouds can bring beauty in the day. Oh how I love seeing pink clouds, their colour coming from the setting sun.

The nighttime clouds make me excited for the next day when I will be able to see the stars. It can be a while. What if days of rain come? The stars did not disappear, but my view did. I know that the stars will be visible in their full grandeur soon but, as us humans do, it is easy to ponder "when?" Or forget, only to remember later that there is beauty to be seen. You look out at the sky again, eager to see whether there are stars.

There were some clouds out tonight, but I could see stars. My breath was visible on the window as I gazed out to see the stars.

One star in particular shone brighter than the others. As my eyes adjusted to the dark -- lights off around me, to help my eyes adapt -- I could see more stars. As if they appeared out of nowhere, a statement I could reasonably take as fact if we, humanity, did not look up at the stars and turn wonder into action. Scientists can, in great detail, describe how stars work. Their billion of year lifetimes. Wonder, indeed.

I look up and feel calmer. There is a low wind. The days have been rainy. I have wondered "when will the rain stop?" In hindsight, I had not seen the stars in a while. When I approach the window to see if I can see the stars, I always do so with hope. The stars bring so many questions. Why do they flicker? Why are some brighter than others? There are answers out there, but some things are best kept a mystery. Like the secret ingredient in a family meal, the not knowing can be wonderful. In both scenarios -- the stars and a family meal -- you can wonder, with joy.

The stars flicker in the night sky. I wonder if the sky will be clear tomorrow, too.