Fatherhood Friday
I just returned from Chicago where I attended a conference hosted by the Brookings Institution, the London School of Economics and Time magazine entitled a "Global Metro Summit." Loaded with thought-provoking speakers, attendees were challenged to consider the austere financial (and partisan political) environment we live in today but nonetheless dream of how to create the economies and social progress that will define our future, all driven by robust metropolitan areas.
As with any great experience, I spent my travel time home contemplating what I heard and discussed and applied it to myriad areas of thought, only some directly related to the topic at hand.
First of all, it was exciting to be in a room with hundreds of people with similar interests. They were smart. They offered solutions.They were personable. But most important to me, they were optimists. Let's be honest, when we look at the big picture over the past few weeks, months and years, there hasn't been much to be optimistic about. No matter where you are on the political landscape, it hasn't been pretty. Projections into the future haven't been much better. But here was a group of well-informed people who collectively surveyed the world and said "we can work together, come up with solutions, and help people dream again. It won't be easy. But it can be done."
Second, I got to spend some time in Chicago. I grew up in New York, where for the first seventeen years of my life when people referred to the West Coast I thought they meant New Jersey. And I certainly had no idea of the treasures that are in the Midwest. Chicago is definitely one of them. In recent years I've been there a handful of times, and each time leave there thinking its such a great town. So much to see and do, a little easier to live in and visit then most other large towns, and a great energy and vibe (even when the temperature drops to single digits!) I still love New York, but its okay to grow very fond of our Second City.
Finally, as great a town as Chicago is, and as fine of a conference that it was, I couldn't wait to shorten my trip on both ends. I live a 100-minute train ride away from Chicago. My conference started at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday. It sure would have made sense to go there the night before and wake up well-rested. Instead, I woke up at 4:30 a.m. to catch the first train for one reason, and one reason only. Nothing, absolutely nothing, beats falling asleep next to, and waking up next to, my wife. After over ten years of marriage that novelty hasn't lost its luster.
Or its priority. The only thing that comes close (is maybe even a tie) is spending time with my kids. Which is why I cut short some informal post-conference activities to catch an earlier train back. Dinner with the family, put the kids to bed, slept next to my wife. Life is good.
(Photo source: http://media.photobucket.com/image/husband%20wife%20backs%20in%20bed/The_Wizard_of_OZ/root/July/old_couple.jpg)
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