Blog 443 – 10.23.2016

I love to travel and three years ago my work took me to Aberdeen, Scotland for seven weeks. I got to see quite a bit of that lovely country. While there I picked up a little book by a Scot journalist named Wallace about his visit to Wallace, Idaho. The mayor of Wallace had proclaimed Wallace the Center of the Universe.

The book was a humorous tongue in cheek tale of a somewhat serious reporter investigating Wallace, Idaho’s claim to the title of Center of the Universe. There were even pictures of the mayor and the town. The picture that I liked most was of a sewer manhole cover in the center of town that clearly designated that particular spot in Wallace as the center of the universe. Proof enough for me and at that moment I sent my request out into the Universe that one day I would see it with my own eyes.

About a year later that request was granted. I had my first job assignment with the company I am currently contracting through to Detroit, Michigan. That job lasted a couple of months and when I called to check on where to head next at first they said maybe they had a another job for me in Michigan or maybe Kentucky. The next day my coordinator called and said, “How would you like to go to Alaska?”

After my return from Scotland I had put a picture on my computer screen saver of black bears and snow capped mountains in Alaska. So I said, “When do you want me there?” And the reply was in about a week. It took me seven days of ten hour driving to make the trip in my Jeep Wrangler from Detroit, Michigan to Kenai, Alaska. I saw things that even surpassed my dream of what such a trip would be.

And along the way I stopped for a late afternoon and an overnight at The Center of the Universe, you guessed it, Wallace, Idaho. I walked all around the town at dusk and at dawn the next morning. I even took the picture that accompanies this article at that time. What a lovely place.

I think the true center of the Universe is to be found at the true center of each of us, our heart of hearts. As proof I have no engraved manhole cover only the words of Jesus. Interpret them as you will. “The kingdom of heaven is within you.” Home, Heaven, the Center of the Universe, you make seek it everywhere to no avail till you look for it within.

Your friend and fellow travel,
David White