I try to keep track of this kind of thing. First cicada. First firefly. I don’t write it down or anything, but I make a mental note.
Last night I was outside changing the oil in our car, and just at dusk I heard the familiar strains of a cicada off in the trees somewhere down the block. I stopped for a second, wiped the oil off my hands (it was my first oil change), and listened.
I hope I can impress upon Ava how important these things are.