Photo Credit: Camdiluv/Creative Commons
Hello, all! This is an updated post, but one I think you’ll enjoy.
Like other little girls, I often played “pretend.” I dreamed I was a princess, a Barbie, a mermaid, or a teacher. It changed from day-to-day.
Between the ages of seven and eight, something else stirred within me. I realized I wanted to tell stories, too. I don’t know that I thought about it in terms of “writing.” I just thought it would be fun to create fascinating tales to go with my alter egos.
I didn’t verbalize it in those terms, of course. After all, I was only a kiddo. But the idea was there.
While my classmates sought out the merry-go-round, teeter totters, and swings, I’d head for the nearest shade tree and whip out my Big Chief tablet and fat, stubby pencil.
I’d think about Dick and Jane and baby Sally and their pretend world–the one that made me feel as though their adventures were real. I wanted to make my stories come alive, too. I shared that thought with my teacher at the time.
“Mrs. K” smiled at me. Where other adults might have placated, Mrs. K leaned down and met me at eye level.
“You’re going to do great things. I have faith in you, Cindy.”
I have faith in you.
My heart skipped a beat.
Something wondrous began to blossom.
The little bubble of my seven-year-old world expanded.
Faith. It was the word I’d heard in church. The word my mama and daddy used when they spoke of God. The word that seemed mysterious, magical, and mountain-moving.
The way Mrs. K said “faith,” it transcended my finite knowledge of the word and breathed reality into a pot-of-gold-possibility.
It reaffirmed the dream my little girl heart had locked away, and in those brief few seconds, an ordinary day was transformed.
It was at that moment I understood why God made rainbows.
******
What is your dream?
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How the world of “pretend” can kick-start our dreams: (Click to Tweet)
When my teacher spoke these words, something wondrous began to blossom… (Click to Tweet)
Photo Credit: Camdiluv/Creative Commons
Blessings Always,
Comments 4
Love this story! My dream has always been to write. And so, SO many people have encouraged me along the way…as your teacher did you. I’m so grateful for that.
Author
Melissa, where would we be without our encouragers? =)
My dream is to provide a forever home to as many lost and abandoned dogs and cats as I can, and hope that the example will inspire others to do the same.
I can’t end world hunger, I can’t stop wars, but I hope that by lighting at least this corner of the world with love and compassion, I’ll make a difference.
And everything is bent to this goal, in its furtherance, or in its support.
Author
Andrew, it’s folks like you who indeed make this world a better place. What a blessing you are!