The Funny Thing About Dreams

The funny thing about dreams are...sometimes they come true.

Have you ever wanted something so bad that you'd do almost anything to get it?

I remember when I was a little girl I wanted to look like Annette Funicello. I'd seen her in the movie Babes in Toyland, and I thought she was the prettiest girl I'd ever seen. I even prayed one night that when I woke up the next morning that I'd look like her. I sprang from my bed and dashed into the bathroom only to be sadly disappointed.

Well, I think I've grown up a little since then, though my husband and family wonder sometimes. My dreams and ambitions have changed. Shortly after my first child was born, I decided I'd try to write a book. That first try was embarrassing. When I'd finished writing my first book (long hand and on lined paper), I'd ask my sister-in-law to read it. When she gave it back, she muttered something about fixing a few places, but yeah it was good. I could tell by the look on her face that my effort was a failure. She was just too kindhearted to tell me how awful it was.

Still my dream was alive. So I tried again. And again. And again. I have a file folder of rejections that could sprain your arm. Years have gone by and I've learned more about my craft. I even went back to college and earned a BA in English, worked for a publisher for a while, and then decided it was time to seriously try and accomplish this dream of publishing a fictional book.

Finally, I did it. For Christmas of 2008 I was able to hold my book in hands. What a thrill! But the funny thing about dreams...they tend to lead to more dreams. And once a dream has come true, and you find yourself on the otherside of that dream a whole new world opens up that's exciting, scary, and sometimes even hurts. But that's okay. I'll always have my dreams.

I often wonder what would have happened to me if my childish prayer had come true and I'd awakened looking like Annette Funicello. She's an amazing lady, whom I look up to and always will. But I'm awfully glad my dreams and hopes changed and that I made my own path.

What are your dreams? And what are you doing to accomplish them?