I’ve had many dreams in my life. Some more practical than others! However, I think it is very healthy to dream. It gives you something to aim for, or an area to specialize in. My oldest daughter has a saying on her bedroom wall, “Dream until your dream comes true.” A few days after we put this up she informed me that the saying on her wall was all wrong. She said it should say, “Work until your dream comes true.” She’s right! No dream comes true without a little work. So here are a few of my “dreams” – some that I’ve worked for, others that were just…dreams.
I’ve always wanted to be an Olympic track athlete. Yes, I know some of you are chuckling right
now. I am totally NOT in the best shape
of my life! I blame it on all those
snacks I hid and then inhaled behind my kid’s backs! But once, long ago, in a galaxy far away, I
used to love to run. Maybe not quite as
much as Forest Gump, but still…I loved to run.
I remember going out to run for fun when I was as young as seven or
eight. I remember taking pride in being
the fastest girl on the playground. I
remember living for field day when my speed would not only WOW the whole school,
but also win me tons of cheesy cheap blue ribbons. I freely admit that I was never a distance
runner…I was a sprinter. (Yes, more
laughter from the peanut gallery.) Sadly,
this is one of those dreams that I know will never come true. But I do live this dream vicariously through
the amazing men and women athletes from team USA every four years. I’ve accepted that and let it go!
I also had great plans to be president of the United States
of America when I grew up. I was always
interested in politics and government.
History was constantly my favorite subject. I loved learning about leaders from the past
and how they made positive differences.
My principal at Chaparral Elementary school in New Mexico was confident
I’d be the first women President and encouraged this dream. I attend a government camp as a teen and
return two summers as a counselor. I was
heading to the white house FOR SURE! Then I
realized how horrible politics really is.
I saw people’s reputations getting smeared and scandal rocking politics
on all levels. And sadly, I realized, I
didn’t want my name on a Presidential ballot.
I’ve accepted this and let it go!
I haven’t let all my dreams go. One day I want to be a published children’s
author. From the moment I
could write, I’ve loved it! I especially
love creative writing. I even won a PTA
writing contest in the fifth grade and made it to the national level! (Yes, I was just that close to meeting
President Regan!) But for many years,
while I was in high school and college creative writing seemed to take a back
burner to all the writing I was doing for school. It wasn’t until my kids were born that I
picked up a pen and spiral notebook and started writing again. I even went so far as to send letter to some
literary agents before my last baby was born.
I still have every rejection I got.
(One day when I’m the J.K. Rowling of the picture book world, I want to
write those people back so they know what they missed!) I got lots of no thank you’s, many no
responses, and NOT A SINGLE “yes we are interested”! This dream is still alive. I still love to write and keep a notebook
full of poems and stories. When an agent
finally comes around, I’ll be ready! I’m
holding on to this dream!
Not all my dreams have gone unreached or cast by the way side. My greatest dream and desire has always been
to be a wife and mother. The fulfillment
and daily realization of this “dream come true” brings me some of the greatest
joy in my life. I have a wonderful hubby
who works hard to provide for us and is the spiritual leader of our home. I have three beautiful and really decent kids
who love me and really do try to do what is right. So despite the fact that I will never earn a
gold medal or even make an Olympic team…despite the fact that I will never have
return address labels with 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, DC on them…despite the
fact that I remain an unpublished writer…I am pretty happy with life and will
continue to dream work until my dreams come true!
