Dreams

Have your read or seen the video of Randy Pausch Last Lecture?  All of a sudden I have seen this name everywhere this week.  I read his lecture, then stumbled across the YouTube Video, then picked up a book my husband is reading to find it is Randy Pausch's last lecture.  Suddenly this is a name I need to remember.  It you haven't seen it, you can find the video here.  For some back story, Randy died from pancreatic cancer in July 2008, but I want to focus on his life.  He accomplished some amazing things.  He had, like many kids, some very specific childhood dreams.  He wanted to experience Zero Gravity, play in the NFL, author an article in the World Book encyclopedia, Be Captain Kirk, win stuffed animals, and be a Disney Imagineer.  When I read this my parent brain kicked in, the dream killer.  Those are some lofty goals, and most likely not to come true.  Wow, am I a pessimistic person!  

This where where I need to tell my 'mom brain' to back off.  Randy found ways to do each of these.  He became the person that could create his own opportunities.  He became an expert in his field, and people sought his expertise.  He experienced Zero Gravity when he and some of his students won a contest with NASA and were invited to try out the Zero G simulator, he helped to develop some VR technology and and for fun created the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, and got to show it to William Shatner!  He got to meet Capt. Kirk on the the bridge of the Enterprise!  He was invited to author an article about VR technology for the World Encyclopedia, and found a way to work with Disney Imagineers!  He made his dreams come true, then he began looking for ways to help others accomplish their dreams.  This has made me rethink my life and how I encourage my kids in their dream.  Do we kill our dreams because that sounds too hard, too far fetched, too out of reach? What are dreams for it not to encourage us to reach for the stars.  Perhaps while we reach for stars we will catch some clouds. Randy didn't play for the NFL, but ALL of his dreams came true in some of the least expected ways. The truth is, I don't remember much of my childhood dreams.  They seemed so out of reach as I became a teenager, then a young adult, that I completely let them go.  The one I remember was to be a Country Singer.  While I have not achieved that dream, I got it live it briefly through my daughter.  Pre-Covid our highschool put on "Kodiak Idol" every year.  Students had to audition, then had one night of competition where they prepared 4 songs to preform.  I was able to coach her in singing and help her put together a wardrobe, a different outfit for each performance.  We worked on stage presence and engaging with the audience.  In the end, she made it to the finals and was able to preform 3 of her 4 pieces.  I didn't get to live my dream, but I was able to help her achieve hers, which felt pretty good too. 

What does following my dream look like now?  As an adult I know my dreams have become tame, but they are still worth reaching for.  I want to play the piano for church, I want to travel, I want to stay close to my kids,  I want to have a successful business.  All of these are very attainable, I am on a path to make them happen.  When we identify what is really import to us and keep our key on that, it has the ability to shape who we become.  I never want to forget the feeling of seeing my daughter on stage, living her dream.  And now I know I can live my dreams too.