Lucky Sparks

The spectacular catalyst of friendship

I was so excited when I saw the birthday cake sparkler candles pictured above come in at the shop where I worked a couple years ago.

They instantly transported me to a 1981 Fourth of July celebration in my family’s backyard in upstate New York. The warm, muggy air hung a little heavier, closer to the ground and sheathed everyone in a sweaty glow. Adults lounged in fold up aluminum chairs, bowing the wide, colorful woven plastic strips of the seat with their relaxed weight. Miller Lites in their koozies and chunky wine glasses full of liquid rubies dangled lazily from loosely grasping fingers never far from the lips of the speakers alternately laughing and listening.

My twin sister and I ran wild through the twilight across the lawn in bare feet chasing lighting bugs. We were killing time until the moment the muted Charlie Brown parental conversation came into radio dial focus to announce Sparkler Time!

Even the older siblings and neighborhood teenagers huddled greedily around any adult clicking open their Zippo’s to ignite the thrilling shower of sparks from the black wands parsed out to us— 3 or 4 each. Then the real show began.

Fireflies faded into obscurity as the dark velvet background of the night lit up with dazzling arcs and crazy, shooting star alphabets spelled out with the tips of our slim, fiery pencils. Only thirty seconds to create our masterpiece until dropping the last inch on the damp lawn protecting our small fingertips from getting singed.

Then we’d do it again!

I’m lucky enough to have started out in life with an instant friend in the form of a twin sister who shares this memory and countless others. The thousands of timeless moments when we transformed ordinary experiences and stretches of boredom into magical, hilarious joyrides of creativity and silliness.

Now that I’ve long been the adult in those backyard scenes, I’m compelled to fiercely advocate for the dazzling sparkler energy of friendships. To name the chemical reaction initiated by the presence of companion who delights in your company and goes all in to support whatever whim or goal, whether a bold clothing choice or a challenging career move.

When I notice a lack of will, a heaviness like that east-coast humidity in my spirit about an overwhelming task, a difficult choice, or just a colorless Tuesday, I want to call in the sparkler brigade of friendship to illuminate the twilight of adulting.

Enjoy 16 pocket-sized poems bringing small but certain happiness based on merchandise from a middle-aged shopgirl’s year working at the Luminarium gift shop . “A Luminous Year,” by Karen Joy Brown.