Shorties: Number 43

With a heart encumbered by a world of cares, Pete struck a match and cupped his hand around it in a protective reflex.  He had too many matches blown out over the years before they could do their work.  Inching closer to the kindling he set up, he relished the aroma wafting to his nostrils.  Once the kindling caught fire, he carefully added dry leaves and trigs and watched it gain strength.  Soon, Pete could warm himself while cooking his supper. 

Anxiety had built over the last months and Pete simply could not purge it all from his heart.  In a desperate attempt to gain clarity, he traveled alone to the mountains.  He wanted to commune with nature and seek his God.  With a chill in his bones, Pete knew he would need to wear many layers as he tried to sleep later.  He doubted sleep would find him.  It would wander the woods all weekend.  Sleep wouldn’t be found until he finally reached his bed Sunday night. 

While supper was cooking, Pete set up his Eno hammock.  He carefully placed a foam liner in the bottom.  It would insulate him from the cold seeking to suck the warmth from his body.  The liner and the clothing layers were his only defense against the colder than normal temperatures.  Once the hammock and a rain covering were done, he returned to the fire and his meal.  Pete carefully removed the aluminum foil covered meal from the fire and began eating.  His legs straight out, Pete warmed his feet while being careful not to overcook his hiking boots. 

Each bite was chewed thoughtlessly while staring into the fire.  It always amazed him watching flames lick away the life from the wood and left ashes in its wake.  Was it some hereditary thing our ancestors gave us after spending millennia around fires?  Would man forever feel something natural and comforting about a controlled fire?  Fire would forever a double edged sword.  It was a tool that assisted and destroyed man. 

Once his meal was finished, Pete walked to the stream to wash his plate and spork.  With the headlamp illuminating each step, he considered the water temperature.  It would be freezing and he had to clean with bare hands.  Knelt down, Pete stuck both hands, which were holding the items to be cleaned, into the water.  Numbing cold bit into his skin and in shock, Pete gasped.  Then he remembered how his father used to admonish him to embrace it with a shout.  Like when he was a boy, Pete cried out, “Woohoo!  Yeah baby, that will get your attention!” 

Pained and numb fingers prompted Pete to quickly finish the business at hand.  The moment he finished, Pete hurried back to the fire shaking the plate and spork.  He was glad he decided to wash while the fire blazed.  A smaller fire would have taken longer to warm his hands.  Once his digits began to thaw, Pete put his items away and began preparing for sleep.  He hated taking clothes off only to put on extra layers but he had to endure or suffer later.  Cold air on bare skin brings much motivation and Pete quickly finished and again warmed himself.  He wanted his clothing and body to absorb as much heat as possible to ward off the frosty air during the night. 

Peering into the embers, Pete faintly heard the creek bubbling through the rocks.  Like watching the flames, Pete let the sound sooth him.  Between the shimmering coals that danced about the base of the fire and the gurgling waters, nature worked to release all the world of man pent up in his soul.  Later, as he shivered in his hammock, Pete prayed and pondered the vast universe and all the beauty it held.  While he knew some facts about heavenly bodies beyond the Milky Way, Pete couldn’t help but consider one thing:  Everyone he knew was on this planet.  It made him wish everyone on earth would work more to get along.  Sure, we can’t agree on everything but do we really have to go to war?

At the time he couldn’t enjoy it all.  Pete was busy fighting off frigid temperature.  It wasn’t until Tuesday he realized how fire burned away the chaff accumulated in his soul.  Then the brook washed away all that wasn’t needed and left him feeling whole once again.  Finally, he felt ready to love again.