05 October, 2018

The Fire of Contentment - A Memory



Remember the time we went down the paddock at dusk and lit a fire? I remember we loaded the trailer up with rose clippings and weeds from the garden, and towed it behind the trusty mower to the place where the fire was to be. You tried to start a fire, but it kept going out. Finally, it got down to the last match; it had to get going this time. And it did. 

I rushed around taking photos; capturing the sunset through the pine trees and the light of the flames on your faces. We added dead leaves and pieces of bark, and the fire grew. We piled on the prunings from the trailer and watched as they smoked, burst into flame, and sank as ashes. The night grew darker, the fire grew larger, and I continued taking photos. 

But eventually, I put the camera down. We sat on our haunches around the fire, poking sticks into it and watching them burn. We laughed at each other’s antics; we chatted about superficial things and progressed to deeper topics. We shared our thoughts, and we sat in companionable silence.  

Finally, the last of the rose prunings and weeds were on the fire. We scraped in the edges, and felt the warmth one last time. Then we hopped back into the trailer, and the mower chugged up the hill home. We looked back at the glowing pile, and I believe we were feeling the same way:  

deeply content.

~~~

I wrote those words a little over three years ago. Today I found the photos I took that evening, and something about the memory still speaks contentment in my soul. My siblings and I have changed; life has moved on. We didn’t have any campfires this season, and I kind of missed it. But I have the faces in the photos, though they are more grown up. I have the same place to call home. I still have the choice to be content, and cosy memories like this one remind me that life is a beautiful gift and sometimes its extravagance can only be seen in hindsight. 

What’s one of your favourite memories? Do you miss those childhood days, or am I extra nostalgic? How do you choose contentment?

21 comments:

  1. Great thoughts, Jess! And those fire pictures are really good! And even though that fire burnt out eventually, your memories never will. I have so many fond memories of me and my sisters and cousins when we were younger, especially when we first bought our property. Memories like that are priceless and should never be taken for granted! Especially memories with family! <3
    -Brooklyne

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed them! Yes, memories are so precious. It sounds like you have built many memories to treasure as well. Thanks for your sweet comment! :)

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  2. ooh this is so perfect!! i really can relate with feeling so nostalgic. beautiful words <33

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    1. Thanks Paige! Aw yes, nostalgia is a funny thing, but I think maybe it's also a gift to help us appreciate the experiences we've had. Thanks for your comment! xx

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  3. I love memories like this. Things that you can tuck away for a bad day. Thanks for sharing, I almost felt like I was there.

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    1. Yes, they're definitely something to treasure. Aw, thank you - I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment! :)

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  4. I know exactly how you feel, and yes I do miss those days! ♥ My favorite memories are probably fall--bonfires with friends, apples fresh off our trees. I like the word you chose--content; it gives thought to what I've been feeling, so thanks for that. :)
    And you are a very talented writer! I love the way you expressed your memory!

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    1. Aw, those sound like wonderful memories! Thanks for sharing! I like it how the simple moments stand out in our minds and speak contentment. Thanks for your encouragement and lovely comment!

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  5. Jess, I absolutely love this! It makes me want to write something, and then hide it where I won't discover it for a few years. Thank you so much for sharing!

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Jordy! Thanks for your sweet comment - and I totally recommend writing something to read later on! xx

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  6. This is beautiful -- and so are you. XOXO

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    1. Girl, you too!! Thanks for your comment! :)

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  7. SUCH COOL PHOTOS. i really loved 1 + 9.
    i get pretty nostalgic too. loved this post so much.

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    1. Thanks so much, Sophy! I'm glad you enjoyed this. :) And may we treasure the memories nostalgia brings. xx

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  8. I love the pictures. I think we all miss our childhood at times, it’s nice to look back at the memories sometimes.
    Great post, Jess. :)

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    1. I'm glad you liked them, Sarah! Mm yes, and it's a privilege, really, to have wonderful memories to look back on. Thanks for your comment!

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  9. This post is hauntingly beautiful, Jessica. I feel like any time there's a campfire, the whole night is just bound to be a great memory, right??

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    1. Wow, thank you! And yes - that is so true! Campfires are great. :) Thanks for reading and leaving a comment!

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  10. I love this! <3 I've missed your words. I've been so busy but it's good to read your blog <3

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