it's right here

It's funny how things are revealed sometimes. Last night, I was talking to Jeff about how I am kind of sad that we will never get to see parts of the world. We were daydreaming about moving to Europe. Taking our kids and going on a life changing adventure. Of course, we quickly came back down to earth and I was left feeling a bit desolate. It just isn't in the cards for us right now. I though about friends of ours who've explored so much of this world we live in. Friends who've been to far away places, danced in different lands, explored ancient cultures. I ached with a longing to get to do that too, not just for me, but to show my children what ancient secrets this world holds. And then I moved on.

This morning, Brody decided 6AM was a good time to wake up. After begrudgingly rolling out of bed, making coffee and getting Brody his morning milk, I stumbled upon a blog. In it, the author stated :

And I may never put a tack in every place on the map, but instead I get to trace a spine that was hand sewn inside my very own body. 

It kind of dumbfounded me. Such a simple thing really, but life altering. It keeps echoing through me and I feel my throat do the prerequisite tightening before tears fill my eyes. I too, get to trace a spine that was hand sewn inside my very own body. Not one, but two. Two beautifully perfect little spines. That is enough for me. Even if I never get to explore a far away land, I get to explore my own backyard with the wonder of a two year olds eye. I might not dance in different lands, but impromptu dance parties happen often with my son mimicking my moves and my daughter smiling in my arms. We are a little culture all our own, starting our own traditions, making our own stories and leaving a mark on the world in our own little way. That is enough for me. No far corner of the world could ever come close to replacing the adventure that is parenthood. Seeing ancient ruins pales in comparison to birthing my babies; looking into their staring eyes for the first time. No parents story is the same, we each get our very own unique experience. 

It's up to us, Jeff and I, to show our kids the beauties of the world, and that doesn't always mean extravagant adventures. Sometimes beauty is the simplest of things, it can be found in your own back yard. Watching the sunrise from a lawn chair; seeing your child's eyes light up over a caterpillar in their palm, or the glow on their face from a warm camp fire. It's all around us, beauty, adventure, history. We have to teach them and show them too appreciate what is right in front of them.