Little Boy, Little Girl, and Dreams

Saturday - July 17, 2009

Did you have dreams when you were growing up? Dreams of what you wanted to be, go, or do when you were grown? I’m sure we all did, and we knew that if we worked hard we could and would make those dreams come true. Most of us were raised in a very loving, caring Christian home. We knew that we were not to be jealous of others who had more than we did. We were to be thankful for what we had. We were thankful and so happy with our lives.

Even though the little boy and girl didn’t have all of the “extras” some of their friends and classmates did, they never begrudged them for those “extras.” As they grew up, got the best education that they and their parents could afford, they realized that with hard work they would be able to do some of the things they had dreamed about as children.

Both got jobs they had dreamed about, but they also had “new” obligations that needed to be taken care of before some of those other “dreams” became a reality. To begin with, there was a student loan that needed to be paid back, and a family to support. Even though this boy and girl were following separate paths, they knew what their priorities were. They both went to church and loved working for the Lord and the fellowship with others.

As the years seemed to fly by, more obligation came and were met as their parents had taught them. Do the best you can, work hard, provide for your family, and love and worship the Lord. Sacrifices were made so that the ones they loved would never be without and even give them the chance to experience some of the “extras.”

They both worked until they could retire. They soon would be able to do some of the things that they had dreamed about when growing up, but still, their main concern was to provide for their family. The dreams they had were never at the top of their list; they were just on hold until they had the time and/or could afford it.

You might wonder what some of those dreams were. Both grew up where money was scarce and the extra money to go to the movies, concerts, ballgames, school functions, and a trip to the beach were not always available! Vacations away from home were seldom and most of the time if they did take place it was to visit family. To have been able to see some of the singers they loved to listen to; to go to the movie that was a big hit, to go watch a ballgame, or to run along the shoreline on the beach were all things that would been a special treat when they were younger.

It was not until after this boy and girl retired from their jobs of over 30 years that they started to do some of the things they had thought about when younger. They waited until they felt they had the time and savings to do some of these things.

Why am I telling this story? I want to write a post about some the dreams that have come true for Bill and me without feeling guilty. Many have said they were “jealous” that we got to go see Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, Elton John, and Billy Joel. We know that was a “figure of speech” in that they wished they could go as well, but did not begrudge us going. (At least I hope that’s what they meant.)

Most of the concerts we have been to have been a once in a life time opportunity. When I write the post it is not to rub it in and say “look where we have been, and who we got to see!” We all have had dreams of doing special things and going to special places. I hope and pray that all of you will be able to reach some of your dreams.

This little boy and girl grew up happy and are grateful for all the blessings that came their way. Now as “mature” adults, the opportunity to be able to reach just one of those dreams from long ago is most assuredly “a dream come true.” May some of your dreams become a reality one day for each of you as they have for us!