“She says nothing at all, but simply stares upward into the dark sky and watches, with sad eyes, the slow dance of the infinite stars.” ― Neil Gaiman, Stardust

Once upon a time, I had a dream. And in this dream, I was holding hands and dancing along with a beautiful being from high above the sky, whose dress glittered with starlight. Years later, those very stars would become somewhat of a brand on my very soul, lending inspiration for many of the stories and poems that I would come to compose. Time has a funny way of guiding us, often taking us through paths unforeseen, yet more often than not, opening our eyes to who we’ve always been. 

An old poem, written by the Spanish writer Antonio Machado, states “Caminante no hay camino, se hace camino al andar.” translated to “Wanderer, there is no path. You’ll make the path as you wander.” Because though many have walked through similar paths, the experiences that your paths bring are that, yours. There is no exact answer for your situation because, from a certain point of view, it is the first time it has happened. Even if others passed through the same, it is the first for you. And from that first time, comes experience and knowledge. The knowledge to help others in their first times, making sure that they themselves don’t feel alone through the process. 

Throughout my life and first times, I have always sought the advice of those who I considered wiser than myself, be it a teacher or parent, maybe even just a friend. Because when the path is dark and the road feels lonely, helping words can help a deal greater than we sometimes acknowledge. 

When it comes to stories, however, there have been a few good stories that have made me feel seen in terms of the path my life has taken. Not necessarily because the situations in these stories apply to me directly, but rather because the way the story is told shows me that there are others out there who see the world from a similar point of view in this, the many paths of life. The first one is actually a combination of two movies by the same director. Movies of which I will be talking about in my next two posts. 

The second one is a book by the legendary author Neil Gaiman simply titled, Stardust. 

Before I read this book (or rather, listened to it through audiobooks) I had only a basic idea of who Neil Gaiman was thanks to some old Master Class ads about his classes on creative writing. Yet unbeknownst to myself, I was very familiar with his work through movies like Coraline and some of his Marvel and DC work. Whenever he would write, be it something frightful or delightful, his style and imagination always stood out with otherworldly imagery as well as stories that made me question and wonder. 

Yet when a friend recommended I read Stardust, given they knew how much I liked the subject of Stars and dreams in fantastical environments, it opened up my mind to a connection between the words I read and the world of imagination inside of me that very few stories (regardless of medium or genre) had done before. 

Stardust is the story of a Star who falls from the heavens into the world of the fae and a boy who’s searching for her in order to get what he desires most, not knowing that finding the star would change his fate forever. 

The boy, named Tristan Thorn, is a good-hearted yet naive lad who sets out on this difficult journey to find a star for a girl. The Star, called Yvaine, is knocked from the heavens and injured in a world she doesn’t know, from a world, she can never return to and for reasons she can’t explain, yet will ultimately link her even more to that naive boy who finds her. 

When I read this story, I see myself in that dream so long ago. I see someone who knew, as they wrote, the world that they envisioned, one born from a place deep within their own hearts, minds, and experiences. I see someone who loves the night sky, tales from myths like fairies and elves, and worlds far beyond human limitations as much as I do. And I see someone who envisions them in a similar light. As Tristan and Yvaine travel through the world of fae, facing its many dangers and delights, finding as they travel that they truly only need one another, even when the world is given to them. 

And after it was all done, after the last page of the story was read and the final words were spoken, I realize something very important. Tristan and Yvaine both are, in a way, us. Tristan is naivete, the need to make or do some seemingly risky or stupid decision without knowing the consequences it might bring, focusing only on our desires, while Yvaine is the fear and weakness we feel when we find ourselves alone in places we don’t know, be it through actual physical fear, or through emotional distress to feeling alone. And the reason why they work together so well is because, even though they both are very imperfect beings, they complement each other’s strengths while balancing their weaknesses. Yvaine helps Tristan mature and be mindful while Tristan helps Yvaine by keeping her company and showing kindness in a hostile world. A trait a lot of people forget how to use nowadays. 

Bottom line is, I love the story, and if you haven’t read it yourself, I promise I haven’t spoiled anything of the incredible stuff that happens inside of it. 

In the end, however, one thing still remains. When I read this story, I saw myself in Tristan, looking for a star in a world he didn’t know. I wandered aimlessly, trying to understand where it might be, but I have faith I will one day find her again. Yet enjoying every second that I take upon this road I have made for myself, because even if I die tomorrow, unable to make so many goals happen, I still desire to say that, in the end, I lived a life worth living. 

And perhaps that’s all it takes.