Fireflies in Flight

This past Tuesday night, I was driving home from a fellow author’s book release party. The sky was filled with an absolutely beautiful, flamingo pink hue which can make my five- year- old daughter gasp in the most innocent and joyful way. The streets were still steamy from the aftereffects of a strong, southern, summer-shower. And the fireflies of these longer days were finally making their debut.

My very first memory that I can recall just so happens to be with fireflies. I was around three years old and distinctively remember chasing the magical, luminescent creatures around with my older brother on Pine Lane Drive in Jackson, Mississippi. We would find an old mason jar and create a makeshift cover with a paper towel. Then, we would carefully poke holes in the top so our new pets would be able to breath in his Star Wars themed bedroom. Inevitably we would keep our latest prizes on top of the bedside table, hoping they would survive forever and act as a living nightlight. Usually, this was not the case. Although, there were a few lucky ones that got to escape back into the wild- most likely at the urge of my parents. I don’t know many mothers out there that want a jar of dead bugs in their home.

In my opinion, fireflies are the most magical creature as they instantly bring us back to the innocence of childhood. They are so simple, yet so mystical. They bring sheer joy to children’s faces with their first flicker in summer’s dusk. They make grown adults jump into the innocent activity of catching them, even if it’s just for a moment. Fireflies are simply full of wonder.

Back in the fall, I was fortunate enough to meet the incredibly talented poet, Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Her award-winning book, “World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments” is filled with essays (including an incredible one about fireflies) written about the simple wonders that are available to us and all around us in nature’s gifts. As if her book isn’t amazing enough, hearing her speak from a perspective of this wonder was a true delight. It was during this most impressionable time as a budding author that I realized she was consistently and purposefully living in that state of wonder and appreciation for these simple gifts- and it showed.

How many of us are consistently and purposefully living in a state of wonder and appreciation for simple things like fireflies? I would guess very few. As we are bombarded with constant bad news of school shootings, the consistent climb of gas prices, nuclear missile testing, the latest social media apps, or another strain of the corona virus seeking out its next population to infect, it is imperative that we find those states of childlike wonder. They are a source of calm in the chaos- a reminder of the simple pleasures and joys that are free to us all. And a good place to start is with the fireflies of summer.

I’ll never forget a magical moment I witnessed- a moment with the fireflies. I was a new mother of my first-born son and had enrolled in a weekly painting class at the Centennial Art Center Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, to gift myself a creative outlet and hour of pause from motherhood. The studio is nestled among the 132 acres of beautiful greenspace in Centennial Park. As I was leaving my class one particular night, I drove through the winding road of the park at dusk. To my surprise, there were thousands of fireflies dancing along to the fresh nightfall. It was so beautiful that I immediately pulled my car over and watched in full wonder. To this day, there are very few things that compare to the majestic performance I witnessed- of the fanciful fireflies creating their electric dance at nightfall. It was such a reminder of simple beauty and gifts from God that we can miss if we don’t look.

That being said, one of the events on my list of things to do in my life is to visit the famous Synchronous Fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. I know that what I witnessed in Centennial Park that night was only a smidge of wonder that the celebrated Synchronous Fireflies provide. Each Spring, around April, a lottery is announced for those who would like to attend. Obviously, the event is in pretty high demand, especially since there seems to be less and less of simple and natural magic surrounding us in the world today. Apparently, the display of bioluminescence among the Smoky Mountains is a miraculous is sight to see. Fun fact- these particular fireflies (Photinus carolinus) are one of only a couple of species in North America whose individuals are known to synchronize their flashing light patterns. What a performance to witness!

So, as the summer days turn longer, and the stressors of our world seem to grow bigger, do yourself a favor and go outside tonight. Wander around at dusk and see if you can catch the simple magic of the firefly’s dance. Remember what it is like to enjoy the gifts around us that one may miss if you don’t look. If you are lucky enough, go catch fireflies with a child, and watch the pure, innocent joy that exudes from their faces as they spy their first one of the night. And when you catch that firefly, hold on to the simple magic it brings before you let it go.

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