They say that when you see a shooting star, you have a wish. And they say if you put this wish into words three times in your mind while the shooting star is burning up in the sky, it will come true. 

As a little boy, I always held on to this mistaken belief. It was just so fascinating for me whenever I saw the night sky with this graceful yet mysterious moon that alternately waxed and waned, the thousands upon thousands of sparkling stars that glittered in the dark like little diamonds, but I was particularly taken with the shooting stars.

There were moments when I couldn't wait until it finally got dark outside and I could secretly climb out of my window to sneak to my very special place, which nobody knew about and from which I enjoyed the view unperturbed while hopefully exploring the sky. Hour after hour, night after night, I waited to discover a shooting star and often thought about what I should wish for when I actually get to see one. 

What do children usually wish for? Clothes, toys or perhaps chocolate? Anyway, my wishes were of a completely different nature. You have to know, my mother was a quite successful international model and my father an aspiring director. Therefore I never lacked material possessions, which is why I never wished for things like clothes or even toys from the shooting stars. 

However, my parents were hardly ever at home due to their work and when they were, there was constant fighting. I mostly blamed myself for it. After all, I was expected one day to follow in my parents' footsteps and become at least as recognized and successful as they were. It was also expected that the appearance of a happy family would always be ma