Growing up, I was no different from any other impressionable child who visualized and expressed many hopes and beautiful dreams for the future. Those carefree years were filled with exploration and inspiration. Our parents raised my siblings and me in the country where we played and roamed up and down the dirt road that led out to the main country highway and back to the beautiful yellow house our father built for us with his own two hands. The trees we referred to as “The woods” was like a giant hedge hiding us and our home from the quiet roadway. The wood’s edge framed the yard we played in from summer mornings until dusk and beyond. Playing, exploring, pretending, and imagining somehow minimized the appearance of all kinds of bugs, even biting ones. With much anticipation, however, we always looked forward to the ones that came out just before we had to end our day of play and go in for the night. They were the very mystical and magical “Lightning bugs” as we excitedly called them. We were always in awe to see their display of softly glowing lights dancing along the woods’ edge. The enchanted display was like a magical movie scene or being a part of our very own enchanted fairy tale. There was something so special and so intriguing about those little living things that could create such a captivating, glowing light! It was beyond cool it was something to behold! We poked holes in the lids and captured them in mason jars in hopes that we could keep them and the joy they bring forever. Sadly, as children, we learned that was impossible as the lighting bugs eventually perished in spite of the air holes. We learned to admire their beauty from a distance as they continued to show up for the spring and summer each year.
Before my young and impressionable mind stood a chance to understand the overwhelming consequences of mistakes, I became a teen mother in a tumultuous marriage. Even after finally releasing myself from that trap, self-doubt continued to steer me wrong as I tried to get my life back on track.
I continued around and around the Mulberry bush so to speak. It was a never-ending cycle that always landed me at a crossroads. I encountered obstacles that caused me to take many trips and falls that rendered me confused. I completely lost sight of my hopes and dreams Finally, well into my adulthood, I came to realize I had come to the proverbial “life’s crossroads” too many times. Life was passing me by while I barely existed under the pressure of trying to get it right with no clear direction. This is where I decided to truly take a stand for myself by finally figuring out some things to help me better understand myself. I had to journey back into my past to reveal several things I didn’t realize had been weighing on me subconsciously for years! With prayer, I had to forgive and release some things. Most importantly, I had to receive some things as well. I had to receive the blessings of knowing who I am according to God and the gifts He’s bestowed upon me.
Finally, I was able to travel back a little further, to that place in time when my siblings and I chased and captured those beautiful God creations I no longer refer to as “Lightning bugs.” Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, I learned to identify them as “Fireflies”. How fitting. For me, their brilliance began to represent and reignite beautiful dreams captured as a child. Memories of them resonated so deeply. I imagined releasing precious dreams and breathing life into them again. Passion for life, love, and dreams should never be contained and forgotten to die. I consider it my life’s mission to do whatever I can within my capacity to help inspire others who may have lost sight of their dreams to reignite their passions and live life to the fullest! My candles are inspired by my desire to do just that!
Each candle from the FSG (Fireflies Still Glow) collection represents a theme from my personal story, “Fireflies Beyond the Mulberry Bush.” They each bear an inspiring poem. The “headliner” (As I refer to it) of my FSG collection, “Firefly Dreams” has beautifully balanced notes of florals, amber, cedarwood, and oakmoss that are in sync with the inspirational poem on the back.
Firefly Dreams
Fireflies are like dreams you had as a kid
They are the hopes of doing things you never did
They are the sparks that sets you apart,
the light that shines from deep in your heart
Reignite your passion, always be the light
shining down the path where your dreams
Are always in sight
Gwendolyn Limehouse
These days I am so grateful for the understanding of God’s grace. In this walk of life, it is very easy to make mistakes and make wrong turns. Never succumb to the judgment and condemnation of mankind. For as long as you live you will be faced with difficulties, disappointments, and even heartache. These are caused by the imperfection of mankind. Know that only God is perfect. He is the one who gives perfect peace. He is the one who says who we are. He is the one who has given us gifts to be used for His purpose. Therefore, leads to a life that is elevated and fulfilled!
I am so excited and grateful to have rededicated (reignited) myself to the things I’ve always been passionate about (Writing, poetry, drawing… just creating!). However, I am even more excited about helping others do the same!
What are you passionate about? Do you have gifts that have fallen by the wayside? I believe that reigniting and pursuing them with faith and belief that you can achieve them is the path that finally leads to happiness and fulfillment! We are there!
I thank God that from the carnage, we can retrieve beautiful things.
Love, peace, and blessings!
Gwendolyn Limehouse