Thursday, July 07, 2016

Sparklers: A Nostalgic Recollection




I don't remember going to any big fireworks displays as a child, but I do remember the thrill of holding a snapping, sizzling, sparkler in the mid-summer twilight.  With a little gasp of excitement, I would grab a sparkler lit by an adult.  Even more exciting was trying to light my own from my brother's sparkler before his burned away to nothing.  Grasping the fire-tipped wand, I would write my name on the air, watching the letters blaze and disappear.  

The silence and darkness after all the sparklers were finished seemed like a question to the night. From far away, the stars seemed to ask deeper questions.  Suddenly, the back door light was flipped on and my mom stepped out onto the porch, and the answer to all the questions seemed evident:  This is Home.  These grassy fields, this old brick house, this small earth tumbling through space, and these star-filled expanses of infinity - all of this is Home.



Where ever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you a sense of belonging.

    

6 comments:

Out on the prairie said...

There was a big production when we had sparklers. Often they seemed to burn too fast and soon all were gone, a sad ending of the evening.

Marcie said...

Yes, we were lucky to have a pack of 10 for all the kids in the family to share, though on a good year, each of us got our own pack of 10. Kids that visited the farm this year on the fourth of July had a giant mega-pack of sparklers. lol.

Laurie said...

This takes me back...we had so much fun with sparklers.

Pom Pom said...

Beautifully and wonderfully written, dear Marcie. Thank you.

Marcie said...

Laurie, When you watch a child with one these days, you can completely re-experience the joy. Love it that even when a child is used to "screen time" and modern conveniences, their eyes LIGHT UP with a sparkler in hand. LOVE IT!

Pom, Thank you so much. Your praise means a great deal to me, dear friend!

My Journey To Mindfulness said...

Oh yes
my same memories
for me
and my children
A simple life...