At the start of summer, my 9-year-old son Sam set out on an epic quest.  He wanted to solve a Rubik’s Cube before the start of school.  We had only one rule: no looking on the internet (or any other reference, such as an old school book) for the answer.  We would do it on our own.

Every night before bed, Sam and I rested our heads on his pillows and worked on the cube.  Unfortunately, the only skill set that I brought was the ability to solve one side at a time.  Sam would pick a color.  I would solve the side.  Color after color.  Side after side.  Night after night.

Well, school starts tomorrow and the cube still rests unsolved.  We did however get so much more than a picture perfect solved cube.  We got ten minutes of uninterrupted time together every night.  Just Sam and me working toward a common goal.  A nearly impossible goal, but with a reward well beyond any solution.  Secretly, I’m kind of glad we failed, because it was through that loss that we gained so much more.

Color after color.  Side after side.  Night after night.