My Mother Taught Me To Dream

Today is my mother’s birthday. She was a remarkable woman. Not a typical housewife, she had always wanted to be a doctor but never made it to medical school. I have a thousand memories of her, but in honor of her birthday, I want to share a favorite. I must have been 6 or 7 and it was summertime in New Jersey. We were outside while I ran around the backyard trying to catch fireflies. My mother told me to look up at the first star of the evening. She then repeated the “first star” poem and we both made a wish. I have no idea what I wished for, but even today, after 70+ years I still make wishes on the first star I see. I hope her wish came true.