Campfire Contentment

I am a cottage girl. I have no qualms about admitting that. I love nature, I love being outside and I love being in the dark. I was missing my cottage and the quiet that comes when I'm there last night. I got lucky though and a friend had a campfire. I hadn't entirely been expecting it, but it was the nicest surprise in the entire world.

While I am not a pyromaniac or addicted to fire as my housemate is, I really do love fires (in confined places). There is something so relaxing about the changing nature of the fire. It never stays still or allows itself to be forced in one direction. Other than the properties of fire itself, there is something about gathering around an open fire with good friends, good beer and a lot of laughter. It's calming and peaceful and energizing all at the same time.

I was sitting, just staring into the fire around one in the morning thinking that I should head home soon because I had to work in the morning, but I couldn't leave. Even when we were just sitting by the fire, without saying a word, we were still sharing something that we wouldn't otherwise without a fire. We were all more content because of where we were. And it was perfect.

It's almost like sitting by a waterfall or canoeing on a lake. There's a peace and contentment that comes from being with those who care about you and want to get to know you. The only other place I am able to find such a deep contentment is where I work. And there are only sometimes sparks around here.