The day a tree made a dream come true

We were driving home from Efteling, a magical amusement park in the Netherlands. It was one of those beautiful but draining days—long hours of fun, overstimulation, and now the slow return home with tired kids in the backseat.

It was late. We were all exhausted. Mentally, I had already jumped to Monday: the meetings, the preparation, the to-dos.

And then, as we were passing a blooming magnolia tree, my daughter Alíz looked out the window and said something quietly:

“I wish I could smell and touch a beautiful tree like that one day.”

Her words landed softly but deeply. And I suddenly remembered something.

I knew that just a few minutes ahead, there were two gorgeous Japanese cherry trees blooming beside the road. We were close.

So I pulled over.

“Daddy, why are you stopping?”

Everyone in the car asked. I smiled and simply said:

“This day is now. You’re going to smell it, feel it, and touch it right now.”

We stepped out. We stood under the trees. The air smelled sweet. Petals rained gently in the breeze. Alíz reached up and brushed the blossoms with her hand, eyes wide, beaming.

And just like that, a little dream came true.

No planning. No cost. No delay.

Just presence.

A gentle reminder

We all get caught in loops. We stay busy. We get used to postponing joy until “the right time.”

But breaking a pattern doesn’t require grand gestures. Sometimes it just takes stopping the car.

Life’s small dreams are often just waiting for us to pause. And if we don’t, we might speed past them forever.

A question for you

When was the last time you leaned into discomfort—hesitant at first—but walked away deeply rewarded?

Maybe today is the day to stop the car.

Let the tree, the moment, and the wonder find you.

And when it does—be ready to step out.

Love,
Laszlo