I have only moved less than 30 miles, just a short distance away in the neighboring state right across the Potomac river. Because there is no bridge nearby my town, I had to drive almost double the distance. This place feels worlds apart but one thing keeps me connected to my old city life. Just across the river is the same international airport I used to live nearby. Every morning, I see planes taking off, breaking through the early dawn. My toddler calls the contrails, the artificial clouds that planes leave behind, shooting stars.

Every morning, we see at least ten shooting stars. I make a wish on every shooting star. This is my new form of prayer. Thanks to my daughter’s creativity and the busy airline schedule every single morning, my prayers never go unsaid. Later today, I will be driving on the beautiful country roads to make my way to Eucharistic Adoration. Although my longing to become a monastic nun never came to its fruition, my dream of living a life of prayer has come true in a sense. After all, all of us are monks and nuns in this world waiting for the return of the King.

A life lived mindfully and prayerfully with the eyes fixed only the hope of the coming Christ, that is my wish upon shooting star every morning when planes take off. The peace and joy that come from living this quiet life centered in Christ alone is more than I could ever wish for. This life in prayer is simply enough. I cannot want any more than this.

May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.

-Numbers 6:24-26