JULIE ANN STEVENS

 

“There was a star danced — and under that I was born.”

William Shakespeare, 1564 – 1616.

I’ve long favored this quote —

For many reasons.

Mystery.  Movement.  Creation —

And the utter beauty in the randomness of things.

April 7, 2010 —

I have a random thought around 9:30 p.m as I’m winding down the day with CSI: NY and Detective Stella Bonasera —

“If I ever decide to get a dog, Stella would be a good name.

“Hmmm,” I ponder.  “Should I write that down — just in case?

“Nah.”

April 9, 2010 —

It’s unseasonably beautiful in Minneapolis and I’m working from home.  Another random thought —

“I wonder if my neighbor would like to take a walk with me over lunch.”

We walk down Lyndale — a street he’s walked his entire life — over 60 years.  He reminisces about architecture and his family including the dogs he’s had throughout the years and eventually we stop for a quick lunch.  My first of the season on a patio.

He begins, “I’m trying to find a home for a really nice dog —”

“What kind of dog,”  I ask.

“English Shepherd —”

We talk more about the breed, the reasons behind the need for a new home and his familiarity with this dog — his special interest in finding her a good home.

Then I ask —

“What is her name?”

A star danced as I heard him say —

“Stella.”

April 11, 2010 —

I have a dog —

And her name is Stella.

Stella — “star” in Latin —

And with a nod to providence—

I’ll add a middle name —

Yep, you guessed it.

Bonasera.