As a child our house was heated by a wood stove. I remember sitting in front of the fireplace, warming up on the brick hearth after being outside in the cold. Sitting until my back was as hot as I could stand it, then turning around and warming my face and toes. A favorite spot on a cold day. Even when I was older when our house was heated by a gas furnace, out of habit, I’d find myself standing in front of the cold fireplace, waiting to warm up. In Rwanda, I almost never have a fire at my house. But on cold evenings (cold is, of course, relative) Sheila would get a fire going in her fireplace. And me? I’d sit right in front on the brick ledge.
My sister and I had a gas insert installed at our house today. It’s sure nice to sit on the bricks in front of the fireplace and warm my back. Funny, how different times and places don’t change the attraction to a particular spot. Maybe it’s more the good memories and childhood security associated with the spot rather than the heat I’m relishing. Regardless, tonight I’m really enjoying the toasty warmth on my back!
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