Lisa Counts

Idea that seems too obvious to be true: The best things in life really are free. We just spent spring break at my brother’s farm in Kentucky. I’ll admit when my wife suggested it, I felt a little skeptical. Last spring break we blew it out at an amazing resort in Cabo. The kids loved it, we had a blast. A part of me was worried that they would feel cheated out of an exotic trip. And if I’m really honest, it wasn’t about them. A little part of me felt cheated out of an exotic trip. But 20 minutes after we landed, I realized how silly that was. The cousins mobbed my kids, ran off in a pack, and didn’t stop for the next five days. My son (13, the oldest cousin) taught the little kids all of his fishing secrets at their pond. They caught 23(!) fish in a single day, his new record. They spent all day outside, canoeing, exploring, climbing the waterfall and catching frogs. My wife and I spent the week having thoughtful, honest, deep conversations with my brother and his wife. The kind that only take shape with space and stillness. We talked about raising children, midlife crises, spirituality, politics, AI, and countless other things. We don’t agree about everything, and we don’t need to. Here’s the point: I didn’t miss the resort and my kids certainly didn’t. They’re pretty sure this was the best week of their lives (with a little childlike recency bias). And this doesn’t mean I’m swearing off resorts for farm life. My fancy side is still alive and well. The point is noticing the story: “An expensive resort in a faraway place must be better.” Once again, I was reminded of a lesson that I’ll likely get to keep learning for the rest of my life: Everything you could ever want is right in front of you, if only you are willing to look.