Broken Pool Lights & Fireflies: How a Summer Night Changed Everything

At Paneralux, we always believe that there is a warm story behind every lamp. Today, we are very honored to share a special contribution - this is not only a story about light, but also about the transmission of neighborly friendship, creativity and simple happiness. The protagonist of the story accidentally started a wonderful journey with family, friends and even the entire community through a dilapidated swimming pool lamp. Let us feel the power of this light and warmth together.

Faulty Pool Light

In the summer of 2018, the pool light in my backyard broke. As a young couple who had just moved into a new house in the suburbs, my wife and I hesitated whether to spend $800 to hire an electrician to repair it - it was too extravagant for us who had just paid the down payment.

One sultry night, I decided to do it myself. When I took apart the rusty lampshade, I unexpectedly discovered a nest of glowing fireflies. They had made this their home.

Inspiration from Fireflies

My wife suggested: "Since we can't afford to repair professional lights, why not try natural lights?"

We started the experiment:

✔️ Put fireflies in glass jars (later changed to LED bionic lights) along the edge of the pool

✔️ Spread solar star lights on the bottom of the pool

✔️ Hang handmade lanterns on old oak branches

Unexpectedly, this temporary solution made the pool present a soft light like nighttime magic at night, which was more beautiful than the original dazzling blue light.

Neighborhood Starry Sky

On the third night, we found a few little figures standing outside the backyard fence - they were the children of the neighbors. They asked timidly: "Is this magic? Can we see it?"

What happened next was unexpected:

Mr. Melson, a retired electrician, took the initiative to help with wiring

Auntie Lisa, a handicraft expert, taught us how to make waterproof lanterns

The children collected shells to decorate the bottom of the pool

The failure of the originally cold pool light unexpectedly linked the neighborhood bond of the entire community.

Illuminate More Places

That fall, we launched the "Shared Starlight" plan:

Use waste materials to make low-cost pool lights

Hold lighting DIY classes at the community center

Help elderly people living alone decorate their yards

This project, which was launched by unexpected discovery, turned out to be a life turning point for me to quit my boring accounting job and start a handmade lighting studio.

Epilogue: The Lights Remain

Now, whenever I see an ad for a new smart pool light, I always think of the summer when fireflies lit up the pool. The real light is never in the technical parameters, but in the warm memories and simple joy it evokes.

Postscript: When I went back to my hometown this year, I found that Mr. Myerson was still using the shell lights we made back then. He said: "It's much better than the ones bought in the store - there's a taste of stars in it."

If you have a creative story about lighting, or an exciting experience with our lighting products, please share your story with us! We are happy to receive your submissions. Please send your story to our email: sv-hq-c25@paneralux.com. We look forward to lighting up more wonderful moments with you!