IF YOU GO
What: Carisch family presentation and community discussion When: 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday Where: Granfalloon Cafe, 400 E. Main St. How much: Voluntary donations to benefit WTCI
David CookThursday night at Granfalloon Cafe on Main Street the Carisch family will host a presentation about their trip. Brian's stunning photos. Tracey's reflections. The girls - Emily, Liv and Alison - and all their awesome globalness.
The night - with drinks and food - benefits WTCI, our local PBS station.
"In extricating ourselves from modern American life, we've been able to put up a mirror and look more objectively at the way we were living before," said Tracey.
Ever since they left, I've had a touch of Carsich envy. Haven't you? What a gift they gave their three girls. What a stunning, life-changing 16 months.
"Everything in our experience throughout this journey has shown us the true breadth of human kindness," said Tracey.
I know, I know. Not every family can pack up and globe-trot. Thursday, the Carisches will talk about how their lessons can translate into middle-class life in Chattanooga.
"As parents, how do we recalculate our family lives, set focus to what's truly important, and have the courage to buck the trend and do what's best for ourselves and our children?" she said.
Boiling it down to a few pieces of advice:
1. Learn compassion for others.
One big lesson came while spending time with drug addicts on the streets of Bolivia. (What happened? I won't spoil Thursday's presentation.)
2. Get rid of unneeded stuff.
Once living in a 4,000-square-foot house, they're now in the market for 1,500 square feet.
"We've realized the material things that we think are making us happy are actually doing the opposite," Tracey said.
3. Slow down your life as a family.
These last two lessons - less stuff, less family frenzy - don't require a trip around the world.
"But they do require a willingness to buck the trends of modern family life - not saying yes to every extracurricular opportunity the kids show the slightest bit of interest in, being thoughtful about what your family is giving up when taking on new obligations and activities, not caring as much about appearances and impressing others," Tracey said.
Welcome back, Carisches. Welcome home.
Contact David Cook at dcook@times freepress.com or 423-757-6329. Follow him on Facebook at DavidCookTFP.