I can still recall days past waking early in the calm, pre-dawn hours. I would tiptoe to the library (or so we called it) and sit with the blinds peeled back just enough to see the dark of our backyard. The sun slowly rising to shine beyond the house, through the evergreens & onto infinity. I watched as the light slowly crept to the edge of the horizon, warming the world and transforming dew droplets into glimmering sunlit chandeliers.
Some mornings, Mugsy or Casey would come and snuggle. Some mornings my Dad would ruffle my hair and greet me, “Morning, bud.” Regardless of how different one morning was from the next, there was often one similarity.
I watched the sunlight extend beyond my vision to places I could only imagine. Places I didn’t even know existed.
What was beyond there? Obviously the neighboring suburban homes, Smull Ave and Gould School… but there was more right? There had to be more.
Later on, I would walk, run or bike to friends’ houses, the town pool, neighboring towns and more. Eventually, I got a car and I could continue expanding my understanding of the world. In addition to the random family vacation abroad, I saw many things. Or so I thought.
Once I saw ‘everything’, I began to realize I really hadn’t seen anything… I wanted more and there always seemed to be more.
More towns, more parks, more trees and fields. More cities, more hidden paths, more lakes and ponds. More sunrises, more people, more cultures and experiences.
I loved it all and the excitement had a grip on me. So much so, I spent two semesters studying in London. During those semesters, I realized the desire to have new experiences was constantly molding my life and shaping the decisions I made.
I think what I am trying to say is, you have to always be true to yourself. It took many difficult decisions to get to where I am today. Leaving friends and family behind. Long stretches without seeing loved ones. It was tough.
A wise person once said, “An elephant never forgets,” and I think in a lot of ways being like an elephant is a great thing. They are compassionate, caring creatures who are very intellectual and have excellent memories.
For me, I never forgot what I was thinking all those mornings I spent sitting by the window to the yard.
Is there more?
There always had to be. Even now, there has to be more. I just need to go and see it.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut
