"Some day I'm going to fly out there and chart undiscovered galaxies in space," he told himself smiling, as he lay upon the ground watching shooting stars and flickering lights above. "Maybe then there will be a cure." Daren was born with a debilitating disease that never allowed him to walk. At 16, he was stronger than most would be in his condition and by his rules, there was no task deemed impossible; he knew no limits. Although he had to rely on a specially made wheelchair, he managed to master it easily in a matter of days. In no time at all, he was sliding out of his chair and down to the ground with devastating ease. He loved to feel the coolness of the grass, the warmth of the Earth, and its "healing touch" against his body. They gave him all the strength he needed to get through every day of rehabilitation.
Confined to a wheelchair for so long, most people would have gone insane. But Daren was always optimistic; there was never a dark side where he was concerned. Many adults gained inspiration from this boy who seemed to know no fear. He once told a suicidal disabled Vietnam veteran that "I'm sure you know life is a precious gift. It is short and sometimes unfair, believe me, I know this too. But no matter what happens, we have to go on living, trying to better ourselves--no one can do it for us. God showers light upon us every day and every night--just look at the sky! The stars are full testament. You must believe you have that light too. Uncover it and I bet you'll find what you search for." With those words alone, he saved that man's life.
People used tell him that he was living in a dream world, that he wouldn't walk again, and those silly "night time semantics" would only lead to catching his death. At first, it wasn't easy to shake such comments off, but over time, he learned polite retaliation. Unfortunately, he never had the chance to know his parents because they were killed in a horrific car accident before he was born. The doctors miraculously managed to save his life by a C-section and his aunt took him in after he was released from the hospital. She gave him the comfort and inspiration he so desperately needed. Thanks to her, he has a tremendous appreciation for life and its surroundings. Yes, he silently agreed, there is no way I could have made it without her.
Just then, the beams shot out across the night sky, shining a ray of light brightly upon Daren's face as he lay out in the yard. This was his favorite place to be each night; the stars brought peace to his soul as he could stare up at the heavens and witness the most spectacular showering displays from the stars above. They always gave him something to look forward to and he loved to memorize their patterns, fantasize about where they could take him if he so wished.
This particular night, it was partly cloudy and the moon--though mostly covered--peered through a small hole and shot out radiant light beams, in much the way a sunset shows off its vibrant colors. It was beautiful and magnificent all at once. The solitude he found here could never be equalled, and he wouldn't have it any other way.