A Firefly Life By Lydia Fairchok
Is there anything in the Midwest quite so
likely noticed that the chemical reaction
Fortunately, we don’t have to hit a
beautiful as fireflies on a summer evening?
continues even after the firefly has a fatal
windshield to leave an afterglow. Teaching
When I see them sparkling by the hundreds
encounter with your windshield. What was
is an ongoing opportunity to shine into
over my pasture or making constellations
once an insect is suddenly a smear on the
the lives of your students because it allows
across a soybean field, I cannot help but
glass — but the flicker of light remains until
us the chance to influence how someone
pause and appreciate the gift of this magnif-
the luciferin is spent.
sees themselves, their horses, and their problems. Riders develop confidence and
icent display. Sometimes I stop my car and roll down the window to better enjoy the
I can’t say that I envy the firefly’s abrupt
self-esteem by having someone express
sight before continuing on my way.
death, but I am impressed by its ability to
belief in their abilities and invest in their
produce an afterglow: fireflies are so full of
well-being. They are shaped by how we
Fireflies produce light to ward off preda-
the ingredients for light that a continuing
behave towards horses and other humans,
tors and communicate amongst each other
glow is their natural outcome. It makes
how we meet challenges, and how we
throughout their brief adult lives.
This
me wonder if my life will be like a firefly.
manage our own time and resources.
unique ability is the result of a chemical re-
Will my family, friends, and students
When we change a person’s perspective on
action between oxygen, calcium, enzymes,
experience light from the way I lived? Am I
these things, we change their perspective
and an organic compound called luciferin
so full of the right things that I cannot help
on life — which means the potential for
in their abdomens. If you have ever driven
but leave a lasting impact?
ripple effects are endless.
down a country road at twilight, you have
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Spring 2022 | Riding Instructor
