Last weekend I took my son Kilian to experience New York City while my husband went moose hunting in Maine’s Allagash. Although we expected modern communication to be working against us rather than for us, dueling text messages crossed the airwaves juxtaposistioning the two worlds we temporarily inhabited.
While I landed at JFK and headed by taxi to a Times Square hotel, he turned left onto a logging road—85 miles of dirt leading to a hunting camp with no electricity or running water. His excitement was equal to mine as I spoke of Broadway tickets and jazz clubs.
My picture text of the Empire Building from our hotel room flew by the in-coming picture of the Black River behind their cabin. Central Park by pedi-cab was met with a picture of heading to the outdoor shower. And, with Sunday being a day of respite from shooting, they piled into the truck to scout for moose as we explored the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Certainly worlds apart—to say the least. And, as I reflect on those obvious differences I think about the richness of both. One rich in material things, the other rich in natural beauty. It’s so simple to say that it doesn’t take material wealth to have the best of life and that real wealth is the pure, pristine environs of the Allagash. But, that may be too simplistic. Kilian and I experienced such beauty in the museums—the heritage of our existence on earth. Music, art and theatre all contributing to the beauty of our lives. And, it takes money, lots of money to support the arts and to continue this legacy of the human spirit.
So, what’s my conclusion? Balance. It’s always about balance. Balance that is neither right or wrong, good or bad—just up and down, left and right—the great 50/50. Balance that gives us both ends of a spectrum to reflect on and be grateful for.
Bottom line? I wouldn’t want to give up either one of them.
