I just returned from a fantastic 4th of July weekend with my nephews (my “nephies” as I call them) up in the northeast. Their little sound-side town does a sensational little show. Peace signs, hearts, stars and even words. “One actually said ‘Fireworks’ last year!!!,” my 9 year-old nephew marveled.
A friend of mine took the fireworks in by kayak on the Potomac river. My parents watched them on TV.
Kids young and old admire curiously as each firework rises. We wonder – What’s in this one? How will this one delight us?
And then there it is – bursting into full glow, it reveals its hitherto hidden magnificence. It showers down, as the next arises. To say nothing of the sparkler, which never gets old.
Reflecting on the fireworks and the fun of the 4th, it strikes me anew – we, too, are here briefly ~ to sparkle, shine and delight. Like the powerful Katy Perry song, Firework:
You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July 'Cause, baby, you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah" As you shoot across the sky-y-y Baby, you're a firework Come on, let your colours burst Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah" You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe... You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July
So go to it – rise, ascend to your fullest glow, sparkle, shine and delight.