FireflyThe girl was told magic didn’t exist. But she’d seen birds flying in the sky. Those white wings lifting the graceful creatures to the infinite blue above her head. Those fish swimming in the sea that can breathe under water- how do they do that?! The fishes of many colors and so many shapes and so many sizes…

Katie in 2005
Katie in 2005

The seasons were magic, too. How could people deny this wonderful fact of life? In summer, everything’s pretty and green. In the fall, the leaves have to put on their colorful scarves and sweaters. In the winter, they get covered by the blanket of snow that falls for them so they can sleep. And in spring, they wake up again so they can play with the flowers!And the most magical season of all was summer. If the little girl stayed up late and out long enough, magic lights would float through the sky. Her father had said they were fireflies. She laughed, and told him, “No, silly, they’re starflies!” Because starflies are much, much prettier.