The Stars Are Still There

When my dad died, I stopped looking at the night sky.

It felt wrong — like the stars were shining for everyone else but me.

A year later, my little sister asked me to help her find Orion’s Belt.

I almost said no, but then she pointed and gasped, “Look! It’s right there!”

I followed her finger — and for the first time, the sky didn’t feel empty.

I realized the stars hadn’t changed. I had.

And somehow, that was okay. Because i didn't feel tied down anymore. I was free because the sorrow i had carried all time didn't crush me anymore. It lifted me.