The Burning Bush

-the spirit of Christmas was much like a burning bush.

I felt like a burn victim living with pyromaniacs this past holiday season. I carried with me an impending feeling about accidental fire even on Christmas Day. I do not know what sparked this ominous emotion but I started to act hyper vigilant around flame. For those of you keeping score at home, my remarks did not win any affection from loving family members, who perceived me to be a kook.

December 17, 2005. My daughter had friends over to the house. They were using a portable space heater to stay warm in the basement. I lambasted my wife that the heater could cause a fire and it shouldn’t run constantly by carefree teenagers without adult supervision. The heater stayed on. Score: wife 1 husband 0.

December 18, 2005. I found my son innocently tending to the burning wood in the hearth of the fireplace. I overzealously questioned my son whether he was responsible enough to interact with the element of fire. After checking with my wife, the fire burned. Score: wife 2 husband 0.

December 24, 2005. I observed my son emptying hot candle wax onto a paper plate to create a cleaner burn for the wick. Before I asked too many questions, I barked that paper products should not be a receptacle for hot wax. My overreaction got nowhere with his mother, who overruled me. The candle burned on. Score: wife 3 husband 0.

December 25, 2005. The family is gathered together over my in-laws to exchange gifts. About 9pm, the raw shouts of “Fire!” could be heard. A lit candle overturned onto a side table and ignited a wreath. The burning bush was tossed outside on the rain-soaked ground to prevent further spread of the fire. The bad feeling, which I harbored inside me, finally went away.

When safety is on the line, trust your intuition even when it isn’t a popular decision among family members.