Tiara sat outside in the dark, staring at the stars shining brighter upon her. She raised her head and said, "Shining star, I wish I could see my mom.".
Tiara was five years old when her mom died; she was taken in by her mother's younger sister, Aunty Shay. Tiara had been living with Aunty Shay ever since then. Aunty Shay grew so fond of Tiara, and many who don't know their story regard Shay as Tiara's mother.
Tiara is now eight years old. It's been three years since she lost her mother, but anytime she misses her, she always tells Shay about her feelings. This made Aunty Shay give her what seems like a lasting solution.
"My baby, you know I love you, right?" Aunty Shay asked Tiara.
Tiara nodded in reply.
"I know you miss your mom, but I've told you to always see me as your mom, and I will do everything to make you happy, okay?" Aunty Shay further said.
"You know what? Anytime you miss your mom, you see those stars in the sky at night—all our loved ones that have gone to the great beyound. I'm sure your mom, who was my elder sister, is among them, so anytime you miss her, just speak to the star that shines brightest at that time. Anything you have in your mind, just communicate it with the star; it will deliver your message to your mom," Aunty Shay concluded.
Tiara was so happy to hear this; one would think she won a lottery. She gave Aunty Shay a big hug and was expecting the night fall so that she could talk to her mother.
The next morning at school, Tiara told her friends about what Aunty Shay told her. The kids were so happy because, to them, they believed that was true.
Every night, Tiara would peep through her window to see the stars; if that wasn't enough, she would go outside so that she could see the one that shone brighter. Any day the stars aren't so bright, she does feel disappointed, thinking her mom, who is now a star, slept early or didn't want to talk to her.
Tiara always tells the star about her progress in school and anything Aunty Shay bought for her, and one night, while she was at it, Aunty Shay stood behind her, listening to Tiara's conversation with the star.
"Shining star, I passed my calculation test today; can you tell my mom that?" Tiara asked with her head raised, looking at the star, then suddenly the star blinked.
"Oh my God, it blinked; can you hear me?" Tiara asked again, and the star blinked.
Tiara was full of joy, laughing out loud. "My mom, aunty Shay, got me a new teddy bear with my favorite chocolate because I passed my calculation test. She loves me so much, and I love her too. I pray God continues to bless her, so tell my mom that's okay," Tiara said to the star without noticing that Aunty Shay was behind her.
"Shining star, I'm feeling sleepy. Goodnight. See you tomorrow," Tiara said as she stood up to go inside. Then she saw Aunty Shay standing by the door.
"Oh, mom, you scared me," Tiara said surprisingly.
"I was watching you talk to the stars, so you do tell your mom everything I do for you? What about when I scold you?" Aunty Shay asked Tiara jokingly.
"I once told her you scold me once in a while," Tiara said soberly.
"Okay, darling, time for bed," Aunty Shay said as she carried Tiara to her room.
Tiara continued talking to the stars until she came of age. When she was fourteen years old, she realized what Aunty Shay told her about the stars was just to make her feel better, not really the truth. She decided to make a final wish on a shooting star instead.
Since the day Tiara realized that talking to the stars wouldn't bring her mother back or deliver her messages to her mother, she had been waiting for a day when she would see a shooting star and make a final wish.
"Mom, I know the story about the star is not real. I'm a big girl now," Tiara said to Aunty Shay one afternoon.
"Seriously, baby Tiara is now a big girl," Aunty Shay said with a smile.
"I'm glad my baby is now grown; I know you will find out sooner or later as you grow," Aunty Shay further said.
"Thank you, mom; that story sure made me feel better, and I enjoyed talking to the stars; they kept my company," Tiara said with a broad smile.
"But mom, I want to make a final wish, but this time on a shooting star. I'm now a big girl, and I know my mom is gone forever, so I want to stop talking to the stars and just be happy," Tiara further said.
This made Aunty Shay sober as tears clouded her eyes. "I'm glad, baby; I love you," Aunty Shay said to Tiara.
""Mom, don't cry; I am here for you," T Tiara said, wiping Aunty Shay's tears with her palm.
Since that day, both Shay and Tiara have been waiting for the day they will see a shooting star so that Tiara can make her final wish.
Every night, Tiara would look out of her window, but it's like a shooting star would not appear. Just as she was about to give up after waiting for months,.
One night, as she peered through her window as usual and waited a while but didn't see anything, she wanted to close the window, then suddenly saw a shining light pass through her window. Without knowing what it was, Tiara ran outside, calling her mom as she ran.
"Mom, I saw a shooting star!" Tiara shouted. She stood outside, looking up at the sky, but saw nothing.
Aunty Shay joined her outside, and they both stood looking at the sky like someone was expecting something to drop from heaven.
"It's gone, mom; I missed the opportunity," Tiara said soberly.
"We'll keep looking out for another one someday," Aunty Shay said as she tapped Tiara at her back.
Just as they were about to turn to go inside, Tiara saw a transparent light in their direction, and she tapped her mother (Aunty Shay) to see.
"I think another one will surface. Let's wait a bit, mom," Tiara said as she eagerly waited, crossing her fingers.
Finally, the day Tiara had been waiting for finally arrived. The shooting star showed up and gave Tiara her final wish.
"I wish the Lord would continue to bless my mom (Aunty Shay), be with the both of us, grant us all our heart desires now and forever, and also grant my dead mother a peaceful sleep in the bosom of the Lord," Tiara shouted on top of her voice as she wept.
"It's okay, baby; I know it is done; your wish will be granted," Aunty Shay said to Tiara as they headed back inside.
Since that day, Tiara has never looked outside her window for stars anymore, as she continues to live happily with Aunty Shay.
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