Up in smoke

Darrel Bristow-Bovey discovers that letting go isn't always easy (or entirely painless).

- Darrel Bristow-Bovey

Last year someone gave me a New Year's present. I know what you're thinking: are New Year's presents a thing now? If I accept this, do I have to give one in return? Fortunately, the gift-giver was something of a New Ager, and hippies do not require reciprocal gifts. It was a small folded cardboard tube, tied together with a thin, tasteful ribbon and accompanied by a written note.

"My wish," said the note, "is that you leave behind the things you need to leave behind, and start the new year with a light and unburdened heart."

It came with practical instructions: I had to make a good, strong fire, then throw in the unopened cardboard tube and allow the purifying flames to inaugurate a new beginning. This kind of thing usually causes me to quietly roll my eyes, but it was nice of her to give me a gift, so who couldn't do with a new start? I dug up some firelighters and a pair of tongs and went outside to my Weber.