Dreams & Adventures

What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you make that dream come true?

I did. I wanted to be a Park Ranger and a writer and I have been both. I had no idea though that my real calling, my passion, would be as a mother. Sometimes dreams stay just dreams. Sometimes they’re deferred. But, we all have (had) them.

Children often have evolving dreams as they grow and experience more of the world. My daughter always wanted to be a dancer – and she has made that her life’s work. One of my grandsons wants to be a chef and a rock star; one is into video game design. These may be their long-term ambitions. Or they may be avenues to other goals that they haven’t even yet imagined.

Every dream deserves nurturing. It can be fantastic, like living on Mars. In my lifetime, walking on the moon was both derided as nonsense and then accomplished. Or it can be modest. It’s still a dream, something to cherish. You can always encourage those dreams, no matter how far-fetched they seem. What’s impossible today may very well be work-a-day tomorrow. Don’t let your grandchildren’s creativity be stifled. Bolster them. Take pride in them.

Your granddaughter may indeed live on Mars. She may not even know now that she wants to be an astronaut. You can invite her to explore and aspire. You can be her guide and learn along with her. Help those dreams come true.