A Pyro's Thoughts

Fire. It burns. It consumes. It destroys. Yet, it warms. It cooks. It creates light. It fascinates me. I'm what some would classify as a pyro (short for pyromaniac), but only in the lightest of terms. The true definition of a pyro is someone who has a strong desire to set things on fire and is usually associated with a mental illness to do these things harmfully and without remorse.

However, my pyro status means that although I do enjoy burning things, I would never do it for damage, malicious intent, or harm. I build controlled fires whenever I can. I play with fire, but only to my limit and not to sheer stupidity.

A magical thing about building a fire is its location. Have you ever built or relaxed by one on a beach? With your toes in the sand, the breeze on your skin, the sound of the waves crashing on the beach, and the sun drifting beyond the horizon? The fire then becomes your main source of light as the stars come out and you sit there with your friends, discussing life, taking in the views, and enjoying life. Have you ever built one in the woods in the pitch black of night? Where you can see millions of stars and only hear the sounds of the woods? Where you can swap stories and tales of legend? Or cooked the best campfire treat in the world...a S'more? Have you ever been warmed by one in a friend's backyard? Where there's not much else to do except sit around it, unwind from the day, and enjoy each other's company? Unless you have experienced each of these, the above words don't do them complete justice.

What draws me to it and enthralls me so, is hard to explain unless you've actually built one of your own, sit next to it, tend to it, and stay there until everything has burned to ash. I generally build them high and roaring. People have said that they can tell that this is a "Josh Watkins" fire. And they love it. But then there are times it is necessary to build a smaller, more average size fire. The best part is, that when you build one, people are drawn to it. They'll come sit around it. Sometimes they'll ignore the fire and enjoy each other's company, but that's the point isn't it? To create something everyone loves, that draws people, that creates moments, memories, joy. This is my ultimate purpose. Is to draw people to my creation and smile as they reach a happy place. As the famous movie line from Field of Dreams says "If you build it they will come."