Once upon a time, in the velvety splendor of the night sky, there was born a radiant new star. Her parents shone with joy at her arrival, marveling at their great fortune to be parents to such a star. They loved her very much, and took wonderful care of her in their celestial home, and the little star was very happy.

The radiant little star grew as time went on, growing brighter and more beautiful. As she grew, her mother and father sometimes needed to leave her by herself as they went about their heavenly pursuits. One day, as the little star was playing happily by herself, a thought struck her. She was alone. She was completely alone! All her short little life, she had thought Mommy and Daddy would always be beside her, to guide her and protect her and love her always and forever…but this was not to be. They could not always be with her, and she was scared.

So the little star hurried out into the velvety night sky, to find someone to always be with her…to guide her and protect her and love her always and forever. She saw Leo, the great lion with the glittering mane of far-off suns and novas and galaxies. Hopefully, the little star made her way to the great Lion.

"Please, Lord Leo…will you stay with me, to guide me and protect me and love me always and forever?"

The majestic lion slowly shook his spangled mane, and in his deep voice he said "No, child. I will guide you and protect you and love you as much as I am able, but not always and not forever. That is not possible."

The little star thanked him (for she was a well-brought up child) and sailed sadly on across the heavens. Soon she came to Scorpio, with his tail of gleaming comets and claws of sparkling nebulae. Quietly, the radiant little star crept up to the wise Scorpion.

"Please, Sir Scorpio…will you stay with me, to guide me and protect me and love me always and forever?"

The wise scorpion slowly shifted his claws from side to side, and in his raspy voice he said "No, child. I will guide you and protect you and love you as much as I am able, but not always and not forever. That is not possible."

The little star thanked him (for she was a polite and kind child) and sailed sadly on across the heavens. Eventually, she came to Aquarius, pouring out the cascading planets and streaming stars in a river across the sky. Solemnly, the radiant little star approached the lovely Water-Bearer.

"Please, Lady Aquarius…will you stay with me, to guide me and protect me and love me always and forever?"

The beautiful lady gazed at the little star with smiling eyes, and in her melodic voice she said "No, child. I will guide you and protect you and love you as much as I am able, but not always and not forever. That is not possible."

The little star thanked her (despite the tears in her eyes) and sailed sadly on across the heavens. Finally, she found the quiet, dark little corner she was looking for, and curled up alone to cry. "No one will guide me and protect me and love me always and forever. I'm all alone. What shall I do?"

As the not-so-radiant little star wept, curled up in the quiet, dark little corner of the sky, she heard a Voice. The Voice was rich and rolling…as if all the stars were singing at once. The Voice came from all around her. It was from everywhere at once, behind her and before her, above her and below her, to either side, and from deep within her own self. The Voice said,

"My child, do not weep. Do not be sad. You are never alone. I will be here to guide you and protect you and love you, always and forever. I always have been and always will be."

And the little star heard the Voice, and she understood. She came forward, out of the quiet, dark little corner of the sky. She wiped glittering tears from her radiant face and smiled. Home she went , to love her parents, and to be guided and protected and loved (for they loved her very much). And she sang the songs stars sing, of joy and praise. And she knew, from that point on, that she would never be truly alone. She would be guided and protected and loved, always and forever.

As are we all.