Earliest Memories #08: Fiery Spectacle

The burning inferno across the street from where I watched in shock and awe, heated my face up. The flames engulfed the wooden house that stood before me. I was by the window on the second floor of the neighbor's house, on my knees and only my eyes and forehead popping out. It was quite a scary thing to witness for a little kid, but at the same time it seemed like such a magnificent event to behold.
It was once a house, monumental in size, that I've always looked at with caution. In a way, it scared me a bit because of its aged look and size. As if I imagined it to be a haunted house. This once magnificent establishment that I've always admired and feared, was being devoured by fire and slowly losing the form I've always remembered it to have. The heat was fierce and I felt its force even from the distance I away from it. I've never witnessed such an incredible and amazing event. It was quite scary and to top it all off, I had no one there to explain to me what I was witnessing. If my memory serves me correct, I should be around 2 or 3 at that time. Maybe a bit older, not exactly sure.

(Fire is an extremely dangerous element. Without control, it will destroy everything.)

Up to this day, I remember how amazing it was to witness an establishment with a considerably immense size get obliterated by an uncontrollable force like it was nothing. The flames just took over the entire house and there was nothing that the people could do. Eventually, the fire fighters came but they were not able to save the property. I do not remember anything about what the people were talking about. I don't remember anyone talking to me about it. And I sure don't even remember what happened to begin with. All I know and remember today is that I was there on my knees peeking from the window. I could not close my eyes despite the heat and frightening sight. I suppose I was afraid. But at the same time, amazed. I don't even remember anything else before or after that moment. It's as if anything before and after it was irrelevant. I suppose my memory can only hold so much of my early past and this specific event is just unforgettable to me.

In the end, all that was left of the house were ashes and charcoal. Some pitch black pillars were left as well. Parts of the walls were still identifiable, but appeared just like the remains of what fire would leave behind after it was done with its prey. At the time, I have learned nothing. All it was to me was an amazing yet scary  fiery spectacle. But looking back to that time now, I can sort of take away a few things from it. Mainly, the importance and danger of fire. But that's just the obvious and easily observed fact regarding this element.
Another thing I've come to realize about it that made a lot of sense to me based on past experiences, is that just like our passions in life, if we're not careful we can easily lose control and let it destroy us and everything around us. This notion can be traced back to finding balance and harmony in our lives. I've always been an emotional type of person. I won't deny it and I won't pretend to be a heartless brute of a man. I get sad and get excited easily. I get nervous and I get overly confident. I've loved so much but not really sure if I hated at all. I do know there are things I don't like, but not exactly certain if I can blatantly say that I hated them.
What I'm trying to say is that even the best things in life can consume us and possibly result to something tragic if we're not careful enough. It sounds unlikely, but it happens. There are those that fall victims to their own passion for their careers, relationships or habits. We can easily lose ourselves or just get overwhelmed that we take a lot of other things for granted.

I try hard to do my best in finding balance with the things I do. It is not easy and sometimes I falter. But I'm glad I've come to realize such an important discipline in life and I intend to respect and follow it as much as I can.