The Magic of the Firepit

Several years ago as Tom and I were settling into this little casita, we decided we wanted to "upgrade" our backyard space with a firepit to replace the "fire-in-a-bucket" we had used for many years prior.

Our home itself is small, pretty much by everyone's standards... not a tiny house by any means, but small nonetheless. It's absolutely perfect for the two of us on a daily basis, but we certainly feel the squeeze when we have our whole family visiting during the holidays.

One of the ways we "expand" our space is by utilizing the outdoors to its fullest potential. We have a large deck just off the kitchen, three picnic tables lined up together on one side of the backyard, and taking center stage, a large, twelve foot diameter gravel circle that houses our new firepit.

It's a thing of wonder.

Okay... maybe not exactly a thing of wonder, but definitely THE thing that "makes" the backyard!

I don't know what there is about gathering on a chilly evening beneath the stars, blankets cocooning us as we huddle around that glowing fire, that seems so magical... but it is.

Tom and I often enjoy being out there, just the two of us. The fire... and the occasional glass or two of wine that accompanies it, encourages long conversations. Staring into those flickering flames somehow elicits thoughts of yesteryear, of raising our kids, of the life we've built together.

Tom tells me that's when I "preach." Not preaching at someone, but talking about deep faith issues. I guess it's because there's time for that kind of reflection. No distractions. No schedule to keep.

It's also a time to share hopes and dreams... even in our mid-sixties, for when we stop dreaming, we stop really living.

And although our "couples" time together is dear and precious, I must confess that getting to sit around that firepit at the close of day when our grown children and their spouses are enfolded in that circle with us, is even more special.

Time there moves more slowly. The conversation is relaxed and easy. Only the occasional monitor check (to keep watch over a stirring baby) interrupts the flow of chatter and laughter. Oh, how I love that laughter! It transports me instantly to a simpler time... when the chicks were all gathered under one nest.

The firepit is where we speak words of truth and love and affirmation. It is where we solidify once again the bonds of family. It is where we step into each other's lives, however briefly, to encourage and to uplift one another. It is where we listen. It is where we share both burdens and blessings.

The firepit holds magic.

It is the safe-keeper of treasure...treasures past, and treasures to come. The firepit is both "coming home again" and "venturing beyond."

I can't begin to relay adequately enough the worth of that twelve foot circle in our backyard.

I guess to really understand it, you'd have to pull up a chair...

and join us.