The Dance

This summer brought me a special performance with several encores, and I didn't even travel to see it. (Note to readers: if your mind is in the gutter, get it out....this has nothing to do with.....that!) Outside my bedroom bay window on most evenings, particularly earlier in the summer, I watched with fascination the dance of the fireflies. With simple but beautiful choreography and an almost lyrical light show, this display of nature's tiny dancers will this year be added to my list of summer loves.

Fireflies or lightning bugs....I believe but am not completely sure they are one and the same.....are truly a sign of the Southern summer. And what a treat! I don't know if other regions experience the firefly. I think not, and if I am correct, it is truly their loss and yet another reason to love the south. A little break from the sweltering summer heat, a little simplicity in a world of craziness, a little light in the evening darkness, don't miss the dance of the fireflies to be appearing in a location near you.

As do many in these times of uncertainty, I go to bed often with countless things on my mind. This summer, my lightning bugs brought a delightful distraction and a sense of relaxation that on numerous nights lulled me into a sweet sleep.

In the beginning, on a June evening when reading didn't hold my attention and nothing on tv caught my eye, I happened to glance toward my window and into the fallen darkness of our backyard just in time to catch a command performance..... the dance of the fireflies. In the days and weeks that followed, I found myself watching for and eagerly anticipating the show that I hoped was to come. On days that had been tinged with sadness, and this summer there were many, I fancied the fireflies blinking as if to say, "We see, we understand." On days that could only be described as crazy, I imagined the lightning bugs were winking and encouraging me to keep my sometimes elusive sense of humor. On some nights, I saw in those lights my mother's lovely but tired eyes, twinkling as she listened intently to some story of the grandchildren one of my sisters or I was sharing. At times, the show was frenetic, almost wild with motion. At others, there may have been only a lone firefly sharing a quiet and singular dance for my enjoyment. It was as if they knew and noted my mood and provided the dance that would best soothe my soul.

Adam Young wrote the beautiful lyrics for the hit Owl City song Fireflies...."You wouldn't believe your eyes if ten million fireflies lit up the world as I fell asleep......to ten million fireflies I get misty eyes as I say farewell....."

I will miss the tiny lights of my southern summer of 2011. Until next summer, I will miss my fireflies.