A whiskey for Tim
Sometimes, peace is as simple as a good whiskey and a slow pull from a cigar. And Tim needed some peace.
Tim was living in that detached state of being that exists right after a divorce, where every day feels like being stranded on mars without your supplies. He was going through the things that really suck about that time — getting used to the smaller place, the silence, the takeout. Firepit was becoming his new family, and Tim was never late.
Marcus is in sales, like Tim, and there was a connection from the beginning. One night at Firepit, Marcus was talking about taking a customer to a speakeasy in Atlanta with good drinks and smooth cigars. A couple of smiles around the group felt like permission and the next week, Marcus brought cigars for everyone, whiskey glasses, and a bottle of Irish whiskey. Good Irish whiskey. Tim accepted the light and pour from Marcus like a gift and settled in to enjoy the moment with his brothers around the fire. Tim’s not straight laced, but I was surprised later to find he had never had a cigar, sat by a fire, and just been himself around friends that had his back.
It’s important to remember what the goal of Firepit really is: it’s connection. Sure this means great conversations, learning things, and all that stuff…but it also means having a place to belong. So when you see connection happening, let it burn for a while. Let those feelings of comfort and connection be enough of a reason to get together. It’s all part of the beauty of Firepit.
That night, Tim sat by the fire until we ran out of wood, looking up at the stars long after everyone else had left. Later, I overheard Tim saying that’s his favorite memory of Firepit. He can’t remember the material I had prepared and we discussed that night. But I don’t take it personally, because neither can I.
