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How we got started...
🕯️ Our Origin Story: From Hard Floors to Firefly Glow
The Sudden Shift
In September 2020, years of hard work caught up to me. After several failed treatments for persistent right knee pain, an MRI revealed extensive damage, leading quickly to a total knee replacement on October 20th. Recovery was brutal, and six weeks later, my surgeon delivered the final blow: my long-time career as a restaurant general manager—the demanding, physical job that had supported my family for years—was no longer possible.
Like many who truly know me, I am notoriously stubborn. It's a flaw, yes, but it fueled a fierce glimmer of hope that I could return to those countless hours of standing, squatting, and running on those mind, body, and soul-crushing floors. Quitting was, and still is, something I simply do not do well.
A New Basket of Dreams
I was taught early in life not to put all my eggs in one basket. With recovery underway, I found myself toying with a hobby: making and selling candles. It was a creative outlet that offered freedom and, crucially, allowed me to sit and rest my healing knee. Joyfully, the idea of starting a candle company began to flicker, though my old career aspirations still dominated my focus.
Then, in August 2021, my left knee needed replacing. All hopes of returning to the work I knew died instantly. At 47, facing two major surgeries that typically belong to older ages, I fell into a deep, dark place. I felt useless, dependent, and aged in my mind.
The Flame of Resilience
I knew I had to pull myself out of that darkness. I needed to do something that wouldn't punish my body, but would keep my mind engaged and my spirit active. My little hobby basket, holding those few scattered eggs, came into clear view. I settled on a new starting line: creating something I loved.
Today, I am profoundly thankful for my grandmother's wisdom—for reminding me about those eggs and for her constant mantra, "This too shall pass." She is the voice in my head that drives me onward; she is the reason I cannot quit.
Chaizing Fireflies Candle Company is motivated by that stubborn strength and courage. It is born from a refusal to surrender to pain, turning a personal setback into a commitment to comfort and light for others.
Where did that name come from...
✨ The Story Behind the Name: Chaizing Fireflies
The Gentle Pursuit
As a child, summer evenings were spent in our backyard, chasing the elusive, glowing lights that darted at a moment's notice. What was once here, was suddenly there—and the thrill of the chase was on. The exhilaration of finally catching that tiny bug was matched only by the delicate terror of protecting it. Carefully, thoughtfully, I'd cup my hands around the little captive, keeping it safe just long enough to reach Grandpa. He’d stand there holding the jar, his big smile and proud expression a constant source of confidence and reassurance for me.
Grandpa and Grandma’s guidance and strength are the anchors that have sustained my self-confidence throughout the years.
A Shared Delight
My baby brother, Christopher, was always too small to catch the fireflies himself, though he tried with all his might. I remember his tiny frustration, but even more vividly, I remember his squeals of delight as I ran to add another tiny glow to our collection. The goal of the moment was the catch, but the joy was shared—in Grandpa’s cheer and my brother’s excitement.
He knew that later, even though I did the catching, we would sit side-by-side. After watching the tiny lights glow in the glass for a brief, magical moment, we would take off the lid and watch as they soared, free, into the night sky. It wasn't the pursuit that I loved as much as the gentle, deliberate act of the releasing.
The Unwavering Light
These times—of firefly glow, grandparents' unconditional love, and my brother's shared delight—are my most treasured memories. They have all since gone on to become my guardian angels.
Today, my heart is fueled by the beauty of those days. I feel it deeply fitting to not only honor the memories of those gone by, but to also chase my dreams with the same persistent, joyful spirit I used to chase those fireflies all those years ago.
I know my grandparents and my brother are cheering me on.
I invite you to see where those dreams have led me.
Come, Chaizing Fireflies with me...
Dawn
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