Sticking together
Published Jul 16, 2007Marshmallows precariously perched on the tips of oddly shaped twigs and thrust into a crackling fire—I billed it as a “family tradition” and at first blush the response was less than enthusiastic; most groaned at making the effort after a day spent swimming, jogging, reading, walking, snoozing, eating, shopping or just plain sitting around swapping stories. But in the end, perhaps out of curiosity, one-by-one they ambled down the dozens of wooden stairs to the beach, some toting lawn chairs as the sun slipped under the horizon and the temperature dipped enough to draw the group into a cozy circle, seeking warmth from the hastily built fire.
The occasion was a sidebar to a family reunion of sorts—a couple of generations of sisters and daughters, a dad, a pair of sons-in-law and a few friends thrown in for good measure. And soon, as more pieces of driftwood were thrown into the fire and it glowed on the sand like a sailor’s lantern, it became apparent that the idea of sweet, gooey marshmallows might have been the lure but certainly not the glue that gave cohesiveness to the group.
We were by no means the only ones who illuminated the night with our modest bonfire on the beach; pockets of small flames dotted the sandy landscape for as far as the eye could see. Children chased puppies as the lake water licked their bare feet and grandmas wrapped shawls around their shoulders in defiance of the chill that crept in with the darkness. Cameras clicked as moms and dads captured the moment for posterity.
A comfortable quiet swept over our group—no surprise considering the simple beauty that engulfed us—God’s mastery in a triumvirate of sand, sky and silvery water. It was a time for private thoughts, wishes and wonderings, and perhaps a prayer or two.