As a kid, I can remember climbing trees at my grandparents’ house. It was one tree in particular, a beautiful redbud tree. It had a split trunk, and one side of it ran horizontal to the ground for a few feet, making an impressive place for the imagination to run wild. That trunk, even though it was just a few feet above the ground, turned into the top of a giant skyscraper in my mind many times. Or the highest mountain. Or a jet airliner.

Over the weekend, I took the ids to go visit my grandmother. It was Easter weekend, and we’d just lost my grandfather a few weeks ago. With so many family times centered around holidays such as Easter, I knew my grandmother would appreciate the joy of seeing her grandkids and great-grandkids.

The weather was very nice, so the kids played outside for a while. Can you guess where they went? Straight to that redbud tree that has always been there, it seems.

I was really amazed by that tiny event that afternoon. The power of such a thing, across generations, is strong. My grandmother watched my boys limb those branches and was reminded of my brothers and I doing the same things thirty and forty years before.

It was a powerful moment for me too. Watching my boys climb, I could remember the fear I had being so far above the ground. It was only a few feet, but I was only six or seven. I saw that same fear etched on my five year old son’s face as he climbed. But he wasn’t about to be left behind by his older brother.

Watching them, I could almost taste the peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches I used to eat in that tree. I wish my kids could understand the power of the nostalgia of that moment, for both my grandmother and me.

One day, I hope they will.

In the meantime, I plan on bringing them to see some of my old stomping grounds this summer. I want my kids to see the places that shaped my childhood. And I want them to see some of the factors that contributed to who I am today. I also want them to see how I am intentional about shaping their character as well.

If you’ve never showed your kids your childhood home and the areas around it that influenced your life, might I suggest that you plan a trip to go see them, if it’s at all possible?

Your kids will love seeing where you lived and what you did when you were their age. You wife will benefit from it as well, understanding you a bit better.

Make it happen, dads, if at all possible.

Be deliberate, Dad!

Do you live near where you grew up? Or have you relocated away from those areas? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.