When I was a kid, my father went on business trips once or twice a year — South Africa, England, and various states in the US. For me, it was a highlight, because we often got to take him to the airport. Watching planes take off and land from the observation deck was sheer heaven for a small boy. Of course the real highlight came on his return, for he always brought something back for us from wherever he sent. It was a bit like Santa in September.

An acquaintance at church mentioned at the post-Christmas-concert pot-luck that in 2013, he’d been in something like fifty countries on business. That’s a lot of time in a plane, a lot of time away from one’s family, a lot of nights in hotels. I both envy him and pity him. Seeing that much of the world would certainly be a blessing, and it would certainly help one appreciate what’s here in the States and likely produce a sense of the possibilities based on what’s in other countries. Travel changes the traveler forever. Still, so much time away from home, from family, makes it a bad trade.

As a teacher, I don’t get many opportunities to go on business trips. Conferences are about the extent of it. So when I do go for a conference somewhere, I realize anew how much of an aggravation ten countries a year — let alone fifty countries a year — would be. But I also smile at the thought of seeing L’s smile when I say, “Come here, sweetie, I brought something back for you.”