"C-A-M-P-F-I-R-E", no I am not singing it, just making one

On Friday night we set out to have a campfire on the back porch. It was the first of the brisk evenings to come, as we each needed a sweatshirt to remain comfortable. We snuggled with blankets too, but that was really just for effect. Bob always lights the fires, I suppose it's a guy thing; like the grill firing & taking out the trash. It was an unusual situation, as Bob couldn't get it to catch. Hmmm, that's odd...it always comes easily for him. He left to go pick up Ellie at a friends' house, so I, not wanting to sit idly looking at unlit logs and feeling the newfound chill in the air, decided to try my hand at fire building. I know how to do it, leaving space between the logs, tucking in the kindling, and wadding up what little newspaper I could scrounge up underneath for good measure. The two younger kids were doubting me. Although neither of them verbalized it, they knew this was Dad's business. So a light here, a flicker there and to all of our amazement- it lit! Within minutes, we had a spectacular fire ablaze. I was noticeably pleased with myself. Sam, as if sensing my near smug sentiment, said,"Wow Mom, that's a pretty good fire. You just did something better than Dad!" I will downplay his utter astonishment here, so as not to belabor the point. You get the idea. I was oddly pleased with my accomplishment.

The fire did really well that evening, but you probably figured that I was bound to say that.
　

As I unwrapped my legs from the plush blanket in which they were wrapped, I carefully placed my wine glass on the ledge so as to not waste any of the precious potion it contained. I rose to stoke the fire. I poked and prodded. I shoved it and tossed the warm embers over the part of the log that had to yet to be ignited. Another part of the dingy log crumbled in pieces as it simmered. I carefully placed a fresh log at an unusual angle, calculating the best opportunity for it's position in my new project. It was divine.

At that moment it occurred to me that this fire is like a marriage. It starts out hot and quick. You crowd it, maybe even get too close because you can't soak up enough of it's warmth. You think it's going to blaze like that always. You feel the heat and although it's intoxicating, sometimes you have to step back to feel the cool air again. You know that you need it and it needs you. It's pretty stable and reliable after it settles. The paper and kindling are gone now, and the quick hot flash has stabilized. At this point, it can sustain itself using it's own devices. You begin to relax as you are now accustomed to the even and mesmerizing flame. But if you continue to sit back and you don't stoke it and tend it, the fire will flicker and maybe even extinguish. So you push the deep warm coals which have settled to the bottom a bit and you recognize their importance. If you push them, they will turn reddish and might even have the strength to light a new log that you have carefully positioned on top. After tending the magnificent creation, you return to your seat and bask in it's glory.

I hope to make some time to write about my experiences last week while visiting the two local law schools. Thanks for reading!