Page 141 of When the Stars Fall
“Did you know that the stars shine brighter here?” I ask Levi as I carry him to the window and raise the linen blind. I hold him in the crook of my arm so he can gaze out at the inky blue sky reeling with stars on this cold, clear Christmas Eve.
“It’s true,” Lila says from the doorway and then she’s by my side, guiding Levi’s tiny hand to her lips for a kiss.
“Mommy! Daddy Jude!” Noah races into the bedroom and skids to a halt next to us.
“What are you doing awake?” Lila asks, lifting him into her arms so he can join our little circle.
“Levi was being loud. Is Santa here yet?”
“What’s that?” I point to the sky. “Is that Santa’s sleigh?”
“Oh,” Noah says, his eyes wide as he gazes out the window. He still believes in magic and miracles and Santa Claus. I hope a part of him always will.
Life is hard but it’s these moments of joy and wonder that shine the brightest, even on the darkest nights. And I don’t want to miss a single one. I have found my way home and the journey I took to get here made the reward so much sweeter.
