It is said that a portion of the stars twinkling at night may as well be merely specks in history, no longer alive and burning with a fiery passion.  But which ones?  If it cannot be determined with the average, naked eye, why should it matter?  What is truly important is the moment.  

The night is anything but silent.  Hundreds of crickets chirp in the woods.  In the distance, the faint sound of an occasional car can be heard.  The leaves rustle as the wind whispers softly.  The grass is lush, each fine blade soaked with dew.  Darkness makes a futile attempt to engulf the night; it is overpowered by the glowing stars casting a dim light upon every tree, every rock … everything.  The summer air is cool and sweet, filled with the smell of damp grass.  In the distance, there is an outline of a hill, rolling off into the dark.  But what is truly sensational is what lies aboves.  

Upon first glance, specks of light dot the night sky.  But soon after, the true beauty is seen.  Thousands upon thousands of stars shimmer and shine, contrasting with the inky black sky.  Each one is different, some brighter than others.  Some are white and sparkling, standing out against the black backdrop, others are yellow and a bit more dull.  Together, they work harmoniously to illuminate the otherwise jet-black night.  A  gleaming light shoots across the sky; just as it is seen, it is gone, swallowed up into the night.  

Time seems to stand still; it seems as though only minutes have passed.  Nothing disturbs the steady sounds of nature.  But soon, the sky begins to lighten; it changes from a deep dark to a progressively lighter blue.  An orange haze sits just above the horizon, fading to a light pink into deep purple.  Beams of light overcome the horizon, shining in every direction.  The last remaining stars fade away as the sun begins to dominate the sky.  Doors open and engines start; the sounds and sights of nature, overpowered by the human population, are suppressed.

Little things, at times, can mean the most.  A twinkling star, a chirping cricket, a rustling leaf …. But

sometimes, we forget to step back and take it all in.  But see, that is me, that is what I can do -- take my

surroundings in.