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In the woods behind my home I have a large firepit, with a path, steps and seating terraced into the hillside. It's a good place for a bonfire or to have the Boy Scouts over for a weekend campout. Sometimes, like tonite, it's a good place to spend some time alone and have a little fire. It's the middle of summer, but I enjoy watching a fire - the flames, the sparks floating up, the curl of the smoke, the glowing coals. I find that a fire calms my mind, and allows me to think more clearly - it's a good problem solver. Most importantly, a campfire calms my soul and shares with me its warmth of being.
I learned long ago how to start a fire without using matches or a lighter. It's not the most convenient way, and it's more of a challenge. I build up a little teepee of kindling and wood shavings, and have a nice supply of wood nearby. Using a small amount of tender and a piece of char cloth, a spark is made with a flint and a little piece of steel rod. Cradling the tender in my hands, which now has an ember from the spark, a gentle breathe is all that is necessary to bring the ember to full flame. The flaming tender is placed under the kindling teepee and nursed it until I have a nice little fire going. From there on, it's just a matter of adding wood to maintain it
I didn't have any particular reason to get away tonite. I had no problems to work out. I wasn't disturbed by anything that required some quiet time alone. I just wanted to surround myself with nature - the frogs, crickets, cicadas, a raccoon foraging around the nearby stream, and have a little fire. As usual, I can't sit by a fire for very long before my mind begins to wander, and tonite I found myself drifting off and thinking about a different type of fire.
My little fire was started with a tiny man-made spark tonite. The other began with a tiny spark sent by God twenty-two years ago.
Mine was nurtured with char cloth, tender and a gentle breath. The other was nurtured with a mother's tender love and the clothing of a family's gentle support.
Mine gives only enough warmth for me and the dogs. The other generates heat enough to warm millions.
Mine is sustained with fuel gathered from the surrounding forest. The other is sustained with the fuel of determination and the loyalty from surrounding fans.
Mine produces sparks that flicker and die. The other's sparks ignite passions that will last a lifetime.
Mine makes intense smoke that brings tears to the eyes. The other brings tears to the eyes with smoking hot intensity.
Mine is an inspiration only to me. The other shares its inspiration with many.
Mine will be easily doused tonite when I leave. The other will burn for as long as God is willing.
Both fires began with a tiny little spark.
One is small and only for me.
The other is a bonfire to be shared by all.