NATURE’S FIREWORKS

It was dusk and I was heading into the kitchen when I saw a tiny yellow glow on the window of our back door.

“Ah…” I came closer and saw that it was a lightning bug, pulsing its light as it looked for a mate. “I think you might be too late.” I said sadly as I looked out at our woods and didn’t see any other flickers of light from any other lightning bug.

“Too late for what?” My son Alex asked as he came into the kitchen looking for an after dinner snack.

I pointed to the lightning bug resting on one of the panes of glass on our back door. “Remember a few weeks ago we noticed how many lightning bugs were out this year?”

Alex nodded his head. “Our woods were full of them.”

“That’s because we had a really wet spring.” I went over to the cabinet and took out a glass.

“That’s the reason there were so many of them this year?” Alex asked as he opened the pantry door and took our a box of crackers.

I shrugged my shoulders. “That’s what I read. They like a damp environment so they love a wet spring.”

My husband Steven walked into the kitchen. “Who loves a wet spring?

“Fireflies.” I said as I filled my glass with water and walked over to the back door and looked out at our woods. Still not a single firefly could been seen. “It was only a few weeks ago when you looked out at our woods dozens and dozens of fireflies were floating through the underbrush, flashing their lights.” I looked over my shoulder at Steven. “It was like watching nature’s fireworks!”

Steven sighed. “Well, I’m glad they liked the wet spring because the tomatoes in our garden sure didn’t.”

“The beets and carrots have been good so far this year.” I reminded him.

“Well, the cabbage has been tough, the tomatoes aren’t ripening on the vine, and I’ve been fighting a fungus on the hot peppers for weeks now.” He shook his head and laughed. “But I guess I’m glad the fireflies liked the weather.”

“See! Now you’re looking on the bright side!” I looked back at the firefly still on our back door window with its light still glowing. “But you my friend, I’m sorry to say, are late to this year’s party.”

Alex ripped off a square of paper towel from the roll, placed it on the counter-top and shook a few crackers onto it from the box. “Maybe he’s not too late.” He said as he went to the refrigerator and pulled out a block of cheddar cheese.

“Really?” I leaned against the counter-top and took a sip of water. “What are you thinking?”

“Well, maybe he’s already mated and he’s just stopping by to say goodbye to you.” Alex cut a slice of cheese and put it on his cracker.

“Ah…” I put my glass of water down and went back over to the door. “I love that idea!” While I was admiring the firefly I could see Steven’s reflection in the window as he stood behind me shaking his head.

“Why do you get her started like that?” He laughed asking Alex.

“Look how happy it makes her.” Alex replied as he put the cheese back in the refrigerator and picked up the paper towel with his crackers and cheese on them.

“She does seem happy.” Steven agreed.

“You know I can still hear both of you.” I said not bothering to turn around. The firefly suddenly took off flashing it’s light as it headed to our woods. “Goodbye my little friend!” I called to him. “I’ll see your babies next year!”