The first nine years of my life were spent on a small farm in rural Greene County, Mississippi. Life was simple, and by today’s standards, some might even say primitive. We didn’t have a telephone or television, and there was no central heat or air conditioning. Our “running water” came from the well in our front yard, and our bathroom was a little outhouse tucked away under the trees.

Mom washed our clothes in a big cast iron pot over an open fire, scrubbing them clean by hand before hanging them on the barbed wire fence to dry in the sun. Our home was small but full of love and laughter. The front room, where my parents slept, also held the fireplace that kept us warm through cold Mississippi winters. There was no couch or sofa — just a few chairs and the warmth of family gathered close.

My sisters, Sue and Hilda, shared a bed in one room, while my brothers, George and Ted, and I shared a double bed in another. The kitchen was the heart of the home, with a wood stove for cooking and a table big enough for all of us to gather around for meals.

When we weren’t in school, we were working in the fields. Our little farm produced cotton, watermelons, sugar cane, and a huge garden that fed us year-round. It was hard work, but it taught me the value of family and perseverance.

Evenings were the sweetest part of the day. In the summertime, we sat on the front porch and talked while the world around us grew quiet. My older brothers and sisters told ghost stories that scared me half to death — and yet, I wouldn’t have traded those nights for anything. When darkness settled in, we chased lightning bugs across the yard or dug for worms to take fishing in the creek that ran nearby.

In the winter, we gathered around the fireplace, visiting and talking while the wood crackled and popped. Life was hard, but it was also filled with moments of warmth and togetherness that shaped who I am today.

Recently, I heard Michael DuBois’ song Porchlights and Fireflies, and it carried me straight back to those days on the farm. The lyrics painted pictures in my mind of long summer evenings, simple living, and the magic of a childhood spent close to nature and family.

Listening to that song, I could almost smell the wood smoke from our fireplace and feel the cool Mississippi night air on my skin. I remembered the sound of the screen door slamming, the laughter of my siblings, and the glow of lightning bugs dancing through the dark.

Times have certainly changed. We have conveniences now that my younger self couldn’t have even imagined — smartphones, streaming TV, air conditioning, and indoor plumbing. But Michael DuBois’ song reminded me that some things never change. The love of family, the bond of shared stories, and the beauty of a summer night under the stars are timeless.

Every time I hear Porchlights and Fireflies, I am reminded of those early years — a boy running barefoot through the grass, free and full of wonder. And for a moment, I am home again.

A Tribute to Michael DuBois

Michael DuBois is a singer-songwriter who channels raw emotion into acoustic-driven, heartfelt country-folk music. His YouTube channel prominently features Porch Lights and Fireflies, alongside other singles like We Were August and Sunset Season YouTube+1.

His song Porch Lights and Fireflies is a recent release (2025), available on platforms like Apple Music as a standalone single Apple Music – Web PlayerSpotify. The YouTube video for the song has gained traction, showcasing DuBois’s storytelling style and earnest vocals YouTube+1

Thank you, Michael, for taking me back to the farm that I wanted to leave but now cherish what i learned and cherished there.