A Perspective on Paradise That was our first and last-camping trip. In some ways it was our worst vacation ever; every day something seemed to go
wrong. But somehow it ended up being our best vacation, too. Mom and Dad taught us the importance of perspective, and by
the end of that trip, we were all convinced that it really is the people, not the place, that make a perfect day.
Family Treasures
As I stood there and watched my friends, I realized I felt surprised. Surprised by their interest in my extended family, surprised
that Dylan was laughing and slapping his dominoes as though he had been playing for years, and surprised that Jerome
enjoyed listening to my father ramble on about our family recipes. But the biggest surprise was how I felt-honored to belong
to this large and passionate family.
What is a common theme in these excerpts?
O Vacation and leisure time activities.
O Camping trips with friends.
O Joy and meaning found in family ties.
O The importance of time in nature.