Naming stars (real ones in the sky, not Hollywood . . .

By Lonnie Cruse

Did you know that for a fairly reasonable fee, you can name a star out there in space? You can name it after yourself, someone you love, or maybe even a Hollywood star that you admire. Whatever. You do this on the Internet and after they have your money in hand, the company sends you a certificate showing that you named the star and a map of where it is. You most likely won't be able to stand in a darkened parking lot and point to it. You won't be able to see it. BUT it's there and you named it! I know all this because I participated in a star naming several years ago. If you are interested in this, do a search and you'll find the site.

We all know that we won't be here forever. Most of us want to leave something of ourselves behind. Children, grandchildren to continue our family line. Something we've accomplished that we will be remembered for. A book published, an award won, a job well done. Something to show we were here. Leaving a footprint.

Yet when all is said and done, there are millions of people who do contribute to this world, who make it a better place to live, and their names are never public knowledge. No star is named for them. Their family may not even be aware.

Isn't that what it's really all about? Leaving this planet better than we found it when we arrived? And doing as little damage as we can to it or the people who live on it? Just something to think about.

That said, what kind of footprint are you leaving behind? What would you like to be remembered for? What are you doing to accomplish it?