Fireworks

Sandy Dickson

Fireworks: Shot from their launching pad as bursts of life and multiple colors, they burn brightly, admired by all who see them, then they fade and disappear. Some are larger than others, some higher, closer to us, louder. Some last longer than others, some are even clearer and more distinctive, but eventually and relatively quickly, they all fade, only to be replaced by others behind them; those next in line to borrow the same space. One after the other, they emerge, shine brightly, give joy. Multiple fireworks, even numerous ones at the same time, all come to an end. They burn out and then, are gone.

It occurred to me watching such a display, they parallel the lives of earth’s people throughout the ages. We emerge from the launching pad, burst to life, shine brilliantly to those who know us while we are here, then fade and disappear. All different, but colorful personalities, even the brightest and highest fade from our sight, eventually to be replaced by others behind to use the space we held only for a relative moment in time.

It causes me to think about all the lives that have shone through history; some were their country’s leaders, others known only to their loved ones, but, like fireworks, no matter their luminary qualities, no matter how high, nor close, nor clear, nor brightly they shine, they all borrow space for a relatively short amount of time against the ages before they disappear.

Another similarity though: they aren’t forgotten. For those of us who enjoyed them, they leave an impression in our minds and hearts that burns brightly in our memories. They were here and we will always remember them fondly for their illumination in our lives.