the best version of who I am.

Many moons ago, as a younger child (I’m a much older child now), I had this great idea that camping was fun. I went on several trips with cousins as my parents refused to participate in such activity. They would later tell me that, as immigrants, they grew up sleeping on the floor and worked hard in order to never do it again.

As much as I thought I enjoyed the experience, what I really enjoyed was the company.

Years later, when I attempted another trip, I knew it wasn’t for me. Thankfully, the person I was with felt the same way and we agreed this would be something we’d never do for fun. I think we even wrote it in our wedding vows.

Last weekend, we took our kids camping, by request of our son for his birthday gift.

We setup the tent, tarps and even got a fire going pretty easily. We cooked hamburgers, roasted marshmallows and made s’mores. We went to bed…

…and then the torrential rainstorm began.

It didn’t stop.

At night.

Or in the morning.

By 7am, I had the kids packed up in the car and we were gone—ready to return and pack up the site when the rain stopped (which it didn’t until the next day). We could’ve “braved” it, but it was a hard no from me.

I am not a camper and to expect that of me will be met with great disappointment. As I like to tell people, I’m the great indoorsman.

There are many other things I am not, as much as I would like to be them.

However, what I can be is the best version of everything that I am right now. And if other people I meet acknowledge who they are and strive to be the best version of themselves, what more could I ask for?