Letting Go

 

Truth in advertising: I love fireworks. When I was little I was terrified of the sound, but my delight at the visual experience eventually overcame my fears. Last night my daughter and I sat on the couch in our living room in Oakland Mills and were able to see a decent amount of the Lakefront show, at least, the ones that cleared the trees across the road from our house. 

Many people feel that it isn’t truly the Fourth of July in Columbia/HoCo without fireworks at Lake Kittamaqundi.

And yet.

Every year I learn more about how fireworks traumatize animals and other creatures in the natural world. The following is taken from a Facebook page called The Animal Place:

• Fireworks traumatize ALL animals. They can have panic attacks, become disorientated, anxious, and scared. The booming noises can be terrifying and overwhelming for pets⁠/wildlife - and possibly hazardous or fatal.
• We are in FIRE SEASON and seeing record-breaking heatwaves everywhere while experiencing a major drought. Firework sparks can and will result in fires.
• People with past trauma related to sound like, people with Complex PTSD, people with autism, and people with other forms of sensitivity to noise are all impacted significantly by the explosions of fireworks. 

Let's create compassionate traditions.

Here’s more along the same lines in an image from Reddit.

As I said, I love fireworks. And I love the special joy that comes with sharing that experience with others - - the oohs and aahs and the delight in children’s faces. But do I love them so much that I am willing to sacrifice the well-being of others?

I’m beginning to think it’s time to let them go.