It's as simple as looking up

When I traveled to Paris last year with my daughter, she repeated over and over again, "Look up." 

But looking up wasn't easily done as I tried to navigate down unfamiliar streets while constantly guarding my pocket book.

When I finally focused on raising my eyes as we walked through the city, I discovered all the amazing things the city had to offer. I saw the most beautiful doorways and rooftops, gargoyles and carvings, bridge views and breathtaking vistas. I now understand why they call Paris "The City of Light." 

I recently discovered that the practice of "looking up" is equally important at home as it is in a beautiful, foreign city. 

One of my favorite things about summer is seeing the first lightning bug.  I feel like a kid when I spy the little light flitting about the yard. 

Since I have been taking a dog out for the last 14 years, I have seen my share of lightning bugs. They never cease to delight me.  

Last week when I did my nightly dog duty, I saw the first lightning bug of the season. I smiled as I welcomed the first sign of summer. A few nights later, I saw at least 50 little lights blinking across the yard. I went to bed happy.

But then, a night later, I saw the most incredible sight. After years of nightly visits to the yard with a dog, I looked up.

In the trees lining our backyard, I saw the most spectacular light show. Thousands of lightning bugs twinkled like stars in the trees. 

I felt like Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz." "If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard."

Well, I won't go quite that far. 

I appreciate seeing new parts of the world and I will always treasure the sight of the sparkling Eiffel Tower lighting up the night sky.

But for a magical, simple pleasure this summer, I'll just take the dog out... and look up.

I have my own city of light.

My city of light! What a gift.