Fire Pit

Today was one of our first really hot days – it was officially 92 degrees. The air hung low and was very humid. It was miserably uncomfortable, especially since our central air was not working.

So, what did we decide to do tonight? Yep, if it weren’t hot enough already, we decided to play with fire.

As usual, we had Jeff get the fire going in the fire pit. Jeff is the master of the ceremonial fire. I have often wondered why people, especially men, love playing with fire. From college I remember that Freud found fire to be a symbol of male power. Perhaps, fire shows control over a circumstance or a struggle, depending on whether the fire is controlled or not. Regardless, it does have a magical effect on all of us, male and female, adult and child.

Maybe we have a primordial instinct somewhere deep inside us that gets us in touch with something inside us when we see fire. A zombie-like mixture of respect and curiosity takes over us. In a way it's like watching a life force.

Before I had too much time to ponder the meaning of fire, the kids laughed and danced, almost some kind of ancient ritual dance, around the fire. Now more relaxed and subdued, the kids happily made smores in the fire.

Since Jeff is our master of fire, next we had him light fireworks as the adults drank ice cold drinks while the kids oohed and aahed.

Yes, for some reason, we all are mesmerized by fire. Fire in a pit, fire in a fireplace, fire in the air (fireworks) or the fire of the sun.

Maybe we don’t need any explanation as to why we enjoy fire; maybe it was just a way to bring family and friends together to enjoy laughter and conversation.