In our world of today it seems that dreams can be far and few in between. Are there any left? In fact, is there room for anyone to dream at all what with the horrors of chemical warfare, horrendous massacres, cruelty rife throughout the world and the dashing of human rights, of humanity's best traits? The answer is yes, hard as it might seem. The trick? Pick a dream which dares and challenges. Pick a dream that is seemingly impossible and then get others to join you, dream with you and then.....
Believe it or not, in this seemingly miserable world of ours we have had dreams and achievement. Take the dream of the 15 year old autistic boy who dared to dream of building the world's largest model in Lego of the Titanic. Despite naysayers, he found yes sayers among his family and friends and even strangers and he did it!! And he is now changed by the accomplishment of this dream. It can be done.
Closer to home. We have had massacres of our young, of music lovers, of churchgoers, of dancers in a club for no one appears to be safe. Yet the young among us said they too had a dream, a dream that the NRA would not have its way unopposed. That they would fight them, march against guns and assault rifles and so they did. They marched - throughout the world, throughout the nation. And in the upcoming primary campaigns it seems as if the NRA has lost some of its clout. About time this dream had some reality.
MLK had a dream too. We had appeared to be on the road, the slow road, but still, and then along came the hate filled campaign of Trump where there were "fine people" in the ranks of the haters who shouted anti Semitic and anti black and anti immigrant epithets and threats. This is a dream we must return to, must advance towards reality. It is not only 'their' rights but also ours, yours and mine, for once fascism and bigotry get their way it is hard to dream once more.
One of the touching moments, no - two touching moments took place last night and no, not talking about Comey. Talking about the awards show where it was opened with a lovely tribute to the victims of the Las Vegas killer. In fact, many of these same performers were actually there or near there for the big event. But what awed me, what showed me the power of dreaming, was the moment that Carrie Underwood appeared on stage and sang from the depths of her soul, sang 'Cry Pretty', a song of despair, of survival and of strength. She dreamed to return to the stage after her disaster and so she did! Dreams!!
And as for me, well, I too have a dream, many dreams, actually. Can I attain it? I hope. It will be a difficult road, one of both that same despair, strength, and perseverance. A road and a dream wherein many have joined with me to get me there. My dream? Simple. To have the strength, the courage, the power to look beyond the advancements of Parkinson's, to help raise money for research, to participate in studies and to keep at a difficult regimen of strenuous exercise and plenty of it. And where will this dream take me? What is the end of my dream? A simple one. To have more years with Gerry, to live to see my grandchildren grow up, get married, show off their grandmother as she walks down the aisle, and even, dare I dream that far, to hold their child in my arms. Simple dreams. Nothing like winning the lottery - though that would be fine too! Nothing complicated. Simple - yet so difficult.
Here are the words of the Titanic builder's mom. Read them and cherish them.
""Dreams keep us going. That is something nobody can take away from us. It's something good to have when you are feeling a little bit stuck or sad. You can always dream."
Dream we must for that is a necessity of life.
Dream we must for a future.
Dream we must for that is road to achievement and progress. So dream on and on and on.
No comments:
Post a Comment