My daddy hung my star

(A little girl's simple, yet profound Christmas wish)

She is the most charming, delightful and beautiful little girl I've ever met. Her smile ignites a room dense with shadows. Katherine was four years old; she lived with her mom. Katz (as we affectionately call her) was duly adored by her dad. She was, indeed, 'Daddy's little angel'.

She, of course, didn't mind all the attention cause she knew that she was beautiful and truly loved. She knew that her dad wanted nothing more than to have her with him always, but that was not possible - at least, not just yet. He was a faithful dad - a man of his word. She knew this and nothing else mattered. It was only a few days to Christmas, and little Katz was preparing to hang her Christmas decorations on her tree.

Of course, she had a special place for her Christmas stocking wherein her 'special wish' was placed. Daddy was the only one privy to look at that wish. Though her dad wasn't able to decorate the tree with her, she reserved a special activity for him, that is, to hang the star at the top of tree. Hanging the star may seem like not much of a task to many dads out there, but this loving dad thought differently. He knew what it meant to Katz.

On the eve of Christmas - though tired and weary - he drove for miles just to get to his little angel. It was a late, cold and lonely night, but daddy didn't mind 'cause he knew that Katz would be waiting up for him. The simple anticipation of her brilliant smile kept her dad awake on his journey. He imagined her smile as one of the stars in the sky which shun on him that night. Indeed, the trip was well worth it! Finally, he arrived. Though half asleep, Katz was found waiting by the door for her dad.

In her hands, she gently held the star, which she lovingly handed to him. She didn't ask for much, she knew that he had driven all night to get to her. She wanted nothing more for Christmas but to have her daddy hang her star.

- Collette Y. Anderson-Williams