Dying Star

Mara lay down on her blanket on the grass, staring at the night sky.

This was her dad’s favorite spot, the place where they used to lie together on warm summer nights. He would gently hold her hand and point to the constellations, naming each one of them as she listened with awe. However, her favorite moments were when they would see a shooting star.

“We’re watching a star die,” he would say, in a hushed, sad tone. “But that’s all right. It means that they have served their purpose in the world. We should celebrate a life fulfilled!” He would then reach out for her, carry her in her arms, and they would laugh and dance in celebration of the star.

A quiet voice interrupted her thoughts. “It’s time, Mara. We have to say goodbye now.”

She looked up to see her mother standing above her. In the light of her small lamp, she saw her streaming tears and knew that she had to go back to her father’s wake. 

As her mother turned away, Mara took one last look up at the sky, and saw a shooting star. With a sad smile, she stretched out her arms and started dancing in celebration of a dying star.

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For D & J.

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Image source: deviantart.com/311matman/art/Shooting-Star-628052612
First written February 18, 2018.
#139