Look Close to Home

It sure is strange, but mankind seems wired to believe that what we seek is over the next mountain or ocean or continent.

Espresso must taste beyond belief in Milan. Pastry cannot be equaled unless is comes from Marseille. "The big fish must be out in the water, only reachable by a boat," says the fisherman on the shore. The man in the boat spends hours trolling the shoreline, believing the prized catch is not out in the deep water.

This constant push to find the great treasures in life far beyond our own domain without question pushes us to stretch our own personal boundaries.

Sadly, this constant search in the far-reaching corners of the world too often causes us to miss out on the great treasures that lie at our feet.

My son Jonah turns five next month. I really wanted to take him camping this summer for the first time. But with his sister making her debut into the world in the spring, packing the family up and heading off to the forest just did not seem to work. Finally as a last-ditch effort, I asked him if he wanted to pitch a tent in the backyard and camp there.

Bets from others were that he wouldn't make it past midnight and would likely wake up in his bed in the morning. He should have taken the odds.

Getting the gear ready for the night had him more excited than I think I've ever seen him in his life. Blankets and pillows, mixed with books and snacks, drinks and flashlights, stuffed animals, PJ's and more all made their way into the tent pitched in the backyard. Before turning in for the night, we roasted marshmallows, made smores, read books, told stories, and planned for our next big adventure in the outdoors. Next time, we mused, would be in the land of deer and wild turkeys. Where fish would jump into the boat and loons would serenade us off to sleep. As my wife's Bubbi used to say, "We had the best good time."

It was only capped after we woke up and were about to head into the house for breakfast. Jonah stopped me on the back deck and said, "I have the bestest daddy in the world." Can't remember the last time I felt so good.

I glanced over my shoulder at the tent, no more than 50 feet away. I realized you don't always have to travel halfway around the world. The prize was here all along.

Never forget to look close to home.

Have an excellent day.