Thursday, May 22, 2008

Dreams

My favorite contestant, David Archuleta, did not become the next American Idol, but that's okay. I was so thrilled for David Cook. He was so sincerely touched. I loved watching him achieve such a fantastic dream. What a wonderful experience for him, and for all of those who participated in the contest this year.

It's important to have dreams and to work toward those dreams. My biggest dream was to marry in the temple and have a family with lots of kids. I'm thankful each and every day that I've been allowed to fulfill that dream. I love being a wife and mother.

It's also important to support others in their dreams, even if the dream seems unrealistic. When we wanted to move out to the country and raise lots of kids and animals we were told that it was just a "pipe dream." My grandfather fought against us every way he could because he thought we were making a mistake to move out of the city. He told me on several occasions as we went through the process of trying to move to the country, that he hoped it would fall through and we wouldn't be able to move. Fortunately, we were able to pursue our dream to raise our kids and animals in a rural setting.

My grandfather never supported my dream of marrying in the temple or having a large family. Time and time again, he would tell me how terrible it was to have so many kids and what a mistake it was (though he deeply loved each of his great-grandchildren after they were born). He once told me that if he'd known I would waste my life raising a bunch of kids, he would never have encouraged me to go to college. I have never regretted going to or graduating from BYU.

I think his non-support only made me stronger and more determined to accomplish my dreams. In a way, he was very good for me. And, he was a good man with a good heart who sacrificed his retirement to raise my sister and me. Grandpa and I just viewed the world in a different way and felt different things were important. Though he didn't support my dreams, in his own way, he loved me and wanted me to be happy.

Dreams are important for each of us and we should support the dreams of others. The world is a better place because of people's dreams.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

good point. and everything (the luxuries) we enjoy is because somebody a long time ago had an idea or a dream to create that thing/advancement.

night night, kathleen :)

Anonymous said...

I was happy for both Davids. Having performance anxiety when it comes to singing (but not speaking, oddly enough), I am always blown away by those who can stand on a stage in front of so many wild fans and deliver the goods!



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Jennifer @ Fruit of My Hands said...

A very insightful post. Isn't it funny how some people's lack of faith in our dreams can become a driving force in our fulfilling them?

I had a math professor who said on the first day of class that 50% of the students would fail, and most likely no one would get an A in the class. I was much more determined to not only pass, but to get the A. I wonder if she did it on purpose?

Rebecca Talley said...

Thanks for your comments. I think we have to hold onto our dreams and not let anyone dissuade us.

Jen--I wonder, too, if your professor did that on purpose.