Clint
watched his first son Hunter chase the lightning bugs
across the yard with a jar in his hand, ready to capture
the luminescent creatures. The night was perfect for such
an activity with its clear sky and reasonably cool weather
for July. Clint's eyes followed one of the bugs above
the trees when he saw the ruby colored star.
He couldn't help but
wish on the star, wishing that his son would know the
love that swelled in his heart. Hunter was not his biological
child, but Clint was there for all of his life and even
felt him move in the womb for the first time. The time
was coming when Hunter would ask why his last name was
different from his sisters. Would Clint's answer help
Hunter know how much he was loved?
Daddy, Daddy, look,
I have almost a full jar! How long will they keep lighting
up? Can you see them during the day? The barrage of questions
came from Hunter.
Son, most of the time you only keep them in the jar a
short time, admire them and then set them free. It's kind
of like being a Daddy, you hope to hold your children,
admire them as they grow, and then set them free to light
up someone else's world.
The next response
from Hunter was so unexpected that Clint's eyes formed
tears. Daddy, I know I have another Dad, that is why my
last name is different, but I'm glad you are the one holding
me now.
