Stars

My father told me something that will forever stay with me,
He told me about the stars.
Each time he told me about the stars,
The story would be different.

One time,
The stars would be gigantic flashlights,
Somewhere far away,
Giving light to the people who are lost.

Another time,
The stars would be angels.
There to protect and guard,
Their loved ones.

The next time,
The stars would be balls of gas,
Burning thousands of light years away.
I laughed at this one.

The last time,
My father told me,
"The stars are me,
So I can watch over you no matter where you go,
Where I am.
Remember, I love you."

That was the last story I got of the stars.
My father died on his death bed,
And every night I look up,
And with a smile say,
"Hey, Dad.
How's it like up there?
Hanging with the stars?"