To Wish Upon a Star is More Than a Memorized Poem

Star light, star bright
First star I see tonight
I Wish I may
I Wish I might
Have the wish I wish tonight"

One of the first poems my mother taught me is this silly one about wishing on the first star I saw each night. Although I know to wish upon a star won't move me forward in life or alter the direction of things, I still, in my forties...wish upon that beautiful star. Why do we wish upon a star into our adult years, even after age and wisdom tell us differently?

The reason any of us repeat something is different from situation to situation, person to person. For me, I think it's a habit. At Two O'clock this morning I woke and gazed out the window and saw the stars, even in a sleepy mode, I whispered this little ditty. I smiled, chuckled at myself, and then put my feet to the floor. I couldn't just roll over and go back to sleep.

These beautiful stars are a portrait painted by a loving and creative God.

Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights--
His faithful love endures forever.
the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever."
Psalm 136:4-9 NLT

While the stars are a beautiful reflection of God's faithful love and its endurance over time, this isn't the reason for my enjoyment of such a simple and childhood poem, or nursery rhyme. Instead, it's the memory attached to it. My Mom taught Heidi and I these words, words to memorize and cherish. Words to tuck away for the tough times in life, when all hope seems gone...to wish upon a star. Words to instill laughter at the silliness of making a wish in my mind that no one heard, a wish you never told anyone. If the wish was answered, you knew it was real because we never uttered it aloud. 

As an adult and one who believes in God and the power of prayer, I still recite this poem when admiring such a beautiful canvas of black and white. I wasn't able to capture it with my camera yet in my mind's eye...it remains. With my hoodie and camera I ventured to the deck. I returned inside without a photo yet the hope and reminder in my heart can't be contained.

None of us know what tomorrow brings yet we know who brings tomorrow.

I'm thankful for moments like this. It's a joy to remember those moments of star gazing with my parents. To lie on a blanket between my parents as they pointed out different constellations and share about "back in the day" are fond memories. 

Times of two sisters encompassed in their parent's love and life. Two parents investing in their girls so we would carry on the tradition with our own children. Memories hold power...I'm thankful for something as silly as a star triggering a snip-it in time. A time of laughter and hope.

As I said my poem tonight tears flowed 
I whispered words to the wind 
with the early morning dew beneath my feet. 
Star light, Star bright...grant my wish tonight.
God of light, Son shining so bright...answer my prayer tonight.

Have you ever wished upon a star or
Taught this poem to someone?