Wednesday, June 19, 2013


The calendar may say it's still spring, but for me, summer officially arrived last week the moment I saw those small yellow beacons in the night:
Lightning bugs are back.
As I walked with our dog a few nights ago, a half-moon shone overhead while just in front of us a tiny airborne light flashed on and off, on and off. I reached out gently, just as I did countless times as a kid, and let my hand act as landing strip.
The firefly rested on my forefinger, bathing it in sunny yellow. Tiny feet tickled feather-light against my skin. 
My small, bright passenger hitched a ride for only a few steps before it took off again, wings a blur in a golden glow.
Beautiful things do come in small packages.
        ---
For more firefly musings, click here.
        One of my favorite quotes -- and one I often cite when I teach writing -- happens to mention lightning bugs. It comes from Mark Twain:
“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter -- it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”

Well said.

6 comments:

  1. As always, your gift of words made me feel those tiny feet...maybe for one flash of happiness for me and my momentary lantern friend. Thank you for sharing your story...Sherry

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  2. wow, they hitched a ride with you, cathy - the ambassador to lightning bugs! - Ruth Deming

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  3. There is joy to be found in listening to the Light.

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