Fireflies offer us all we need to know for these times.
Shine, they whisper.
Be full of light, from the inside out.
Shine as bright as you can, for as long as you can. When you struggle, look to another’s light.
Then shine again to lift someone else.
Your light lifts me. My light lifts you.
Stand brave and tall before ugly evil truths. May outrage fuel you to shine all the brighter, until injustice has nowhere to hide.
~~~
A little Love Note (Day 11) for summer’s fireflies. Pittsburgh photographer Chris Condello worked many nights to capture and post beautiful firefly images last summer. They instantly inspired me.
Chris captured a magical summer night, and the power and wattage of many small lights collectively shining.
With Chris’ permission, I used it here on the website and intend to keep it through the re-design.
Is someone helping you shine and stay lifted? Send some love to your fireflies.
I’m lucky to have many “fireflies” — good, bright healthy friends ready with a kind word no matter what happened that day. And I’d do the same for them. This is friendship. Kinship with all — those we know and those we don’t yet know. Writers, artists, musicians, teachers, storytellers. May we all shine brighter.
Did you catch fireflies as a kid? Leave a comment below!
Remember: every comment during the February Love Notes challenge is a chance to win a prize.
Catching fireflies was always fun on a summer night. I too have many friends that lift me up. I also hope that I do the same for them.
I am absolutely certain you do! Thanks for reading, Beverly. I appreciate the lift!
One of my favorite activities as a child, and loved passing the wonder along to my daughter. Plus love of all things not necessarily universally loved, like cicadas, bees, worms, bats, possums!
Thank you Elizabeth! What a gift to pass along that sense of wonder. And yes – all the creatures,great and small. Even if they are not cute. They are all here for a reason!
Love fireflies, but they seem much rarer now. It makes them all the more precious, just like true friends.