At 38, I became a single father and began to feel disconnected from reality. The moment it really hit me was when my son asked about the last book I had read to him, and I couldn’t remember. Determined to reconnect with life and focus on quality time with my eight-year-old, I decided to unplug every weekend for a month. No distractions. On the first Saturday morning, we tackled the attic, a project I had avoided for years.
While sorting through dusty boxes and forgotten treasures, I came across an old journal that had belonged to my late grandfather. Intrigued, I started reading. The journal revealed a side of him I never knew—a young man passionate about music and adventure, far removed from the stern figure I had known. Among the pages was a worn photograph of my grandfather standing in front of a rustic cabin near a lake, marked with coordinates.
Excited by the discovery, we set off on a family road trip to find the place. After hours of driving and some creative navigation, we arrived at the cabin, now abandoned but still standing. As we explored, we found more of my grandfather’s belongings. While wandering through the cabin, my son suddenly pointed to a small casket and shouted, “Dad! This has your name on it!” At first, we thought it was a coffin, but it turned out to be a violin case.
Inside, there was a pristine violin and a letter addressed to me. In it, my grandfather expressed his hope that I would find this place someday and rekindle the family’s love for music. I was deeply touched and made a promise to honor his legacy. I began learning the violin, and my son showed interest in learning the piano. Unplugging didn’t just help me uncover my family’s past—it strengthened my bond with my son. Without the distraction of devices, we were fully present with each other, creating memories, laughter, and conversations that no screen could ever replace.