Stephany was a city girl from El Paso, TX, who dreamt of living a nature-filled life by the oceans of California. She loved her parents and always tried hard to make them proud by doing good in school, and having a job as a waitress at an old pancake house with her best friend. She was in love with life, and especially with a boy. He was her love all throughout high school and had swept her away by his charm and personality. Together they held dreams for a great future and made the best out of their young lives. Stephany was in a all time high since life was treated her so good. She had love, school, friends, and a whole world in front of her.

Her first days of college were not as easy as she thought they would be but she never regretted going to school. Stephany was patient and knew no matter what she had something great to work hard for, which was her family, friends, and her boyfriend. Then slowly, each day at school her friends began to ditch some classed and then not show up to work. It was not long until Stephany would hardly see her friends. Her job required more hours and it meant that she rarely spent time with family, just on Sundays. Finally, her high school love had moved away and ended their four year relationship.

Stephany experienced loneliness for the first time. Nothing was helping her get over her depression. She continued her routine of work and school, work and school, and again work and school. Then one day, she ran into an old lady who was so happy and was dancing around to jaunty saxophone music outside of her class. All she had was a huge speaker, a funny dance routine, and a basket filled with candles. She was a bit of an odd looking lady with her tight white hair braids, long tribal dress, and shiny shoes. Stephany misread her for a new aged hippie. Assuming she was selling the candles and that they might help her sleep after her studies, Stephany came up to this lady and asked her how much were the candles that she selling.

The lady introduced herself as Annie and told Stephany she is giving them away for free but only if someone can make her laugh or dance. This was shocking to hear and seemed too easy since that is all this lady had been doing. Stephany smiled and said, thank you to the lady and walked away while still admiring her spirit for a good two minutes, and then stepped further away as someone else approached Annie. The look on everyone's face when they were told all they had to do was make her dance for a free candle was entertaining to Stephany. She couldn't see what the big deal was for a small green candle and she left to class.

It was already the end of the day and Stephany was walking to her car when she ran into Annie who was walking home. Stephany had a huge urge to tell her thank you again, as her free spirit had made her happy when, for the longest time, nothing had. Yet, she continued to walk to her car and had accidentally tripped over the side walk making a loud noise as she slammed on the pavement. Stephany played it cool as she got back up and thought no one had seen her trip but laughing not too far away was Annie coming to her to give her a helping hand. The damage was not too severe, just a small bruise on her elbow. Annie had asked her why she was so embarrassed, given that being clumsy is normal. Awkwardly, Stephany laughed and found this an opportunity to tell Annie how she admired her spirit and felt happy after she saw her dancing around earlier. Before she could sum up how to say this, Annie handed her a candle and hugged her goodbye.

Stephany drove home and kept thinking about Annie and how she wanted to be just as happy. She lit her new candle and began studying for her finals but ended up going into a deep sleep. She dreamt that she was able to go back in time to when she had it all, her family, her friends, her old love, and her happiness. It pained her to dream because she still felt in denial. She jumped out of deep sleep and ran outside in tears. There saw the moon and felt for a second like smiling and laughing like Annie. She couldn't understand how a moon could have her feeling happy.

For the past days Stephany lit her candle and saw the moon before bed. Then she had this feeling she couldn't understand, so she grabbed paper and a pen and began writing her thoughts ...

The moon was her shelter
She hid behind its rays
She wished for mercy but all she got was rain
The moon whispered to the wind to kiss her cheek
But all she could understand, was that her heart was weak.

The moon was her shelter
She admired its shine!
She called a star to fall down just at the right time
She looked up, and saw the path of gold
Little did she know she was one unique mold
Silly and wild, with the heart of a child
The wind brought her high onto her feet, higher than anyone had been able to see
There she saw the city, sleeping with such amazing peace

The moon was her shelter
She stood up tall and strong
Her request was granted
She was no longer small..
The moon was her shelter and gave her strength
Now, the girl's heart can finally be brave.

Then Stephany folded up her paper, took it with her to bed, and decided she wanted to live life happy and be like Annie instead.