Hunting for Treasure
One October afternoon, with the first crisp nip in the air, I set off with a trio of eager adventurers to roam The Backyard in search of treasure. The Golden Boy quickly took the lead, guiding us into parts unknown. The Silver Warrior’s keen eye and brave spirit proved invaluable to our mission. The Bronze Princess, though small in stature, possessed the power to transform the most mundane of objects into items of rare beauty with just two words, “so cute.”
As the sun slipped westward, we left through the kitchen door, setting a course for our first stop at The Pond. There, we cast bread upon the water and strained into the murky depths, waiting with bated breath. Soon, the water swirled, and our excitement with it. Late afternoon sun rays pierced through the surface, illuminating the iridescent scales of mysterious creatures lured upward by our offering. Quick as lightening, first one piece of bread and then another was snatched away before our very eyes and carried down into deep darkness.
Once every trace of bread was gone, the Golden Boy led us along The Pond’s edge until we reached the Corner Wood where leaves of orange, red, and gold carpeted the forest floor. We quickly deemed one of each color worthy to be considered treasure. Designated as the Keeper, The Three placed the perfect specimens into my hands for safekeeping. Next, we paid our respects at the grave of the beloved canine, Gabby. Loyal and true, we honored her with a memorial stone, lovingly place upon her resting place. Commencing along the Chainlink Fence, we arrived beneath the King of Trees where we foraged for valuables. We discovered the perfect acorn cap, a hulled out pinecone shaped like a chalice, and a small white rock that looked like an egg. My favorite find was a dragonfly wing that resembled a cathedral window when held up to the light.
Months earlier, I’d come upon an abandoned nest that had finally surrendered its hold on a corner porch post. A pot of summer-weary caladiums became the perfect spot to display the nest, once I’d lopped off their drooping stems. I suggested this as an ideal container for our findings and The Three agreed. Once the Bronze Princess had declared the arrangement “so cute”, we quickly headed out for more.
At the Herb Garden we gathered three feathers strewn among the rosemary and thyme. There, The Silver Warrior scaled the Rock Mountain for a better view into the Dark Forest on the other side of the Chainlink Fence, followed swiftly by the Golden Boy. Naturally, the Bronze Princess wanted to look too, but was unable to make the climb on her own. I hefted her up, and The Three declared the time had come to find out what lay in the shadows at the forest’s edge.
The Golden Boy climbed over the fence while the girls and I went through the gate. Our efforts proved successful. Not only did we gather goldenrod, an interesting piece of wood, and a small toy car long forgotten by some long ago resident of the Dark Forest, but we discovered numerous holes leading to a network of underground chipmunk tunnels.
With each wonder uncovered, each treasure collected, I tucked away every gasp of delight, every shrill exclamation, and stored it in the treasure box of my heart. As the sun dipped behind the trees withdrawing the warmth of its rays, we carried the last of our loot to the porch. I watched as The Three arranged their haul, their excited chatter a sweet melody filling the October evening. Later that night, I lay my head on my pillow and pondered the contents of the pot and the fun time we’d had. I wondered whether, years from now, The Three would remember our backyard adventure and knew for sure I’d never forget.
Yesterday, after a stroll to the mailbox, I took the long way back inside. Walking the length of the porch, I stopped to inspect the pot and the articles we placed there weeks ago. Leaves that had been so vibrant were dry and brown. The goldenrod, too, had faded, and the feathers were haggard, leaning this way and that. Even the dragonfly wing had grown dull with time. I thought back on that day and The Three with their shining faces and squeals of delight. The gold I’d tucked away in my heart had not faded at all. It still shone brightly, bringing a warmth that instantly filled me with a quiet and satisfying joy.
A truth I’d been taught all my life sprang up like a fountain in my soul, and I understood anew there are treasures that are temporary and treasures that are eternal. If I take care to store up treasure of the everlasting variety, I don’t have to worry that I’ll lose it to time or decay. My treasure will be in the place I’ve set my heart, waiting to be enjoyed for all eternity.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”