Would you call yourself a dreamer?

Would you call yourself a dreamer? I am nearly too practical to be one.

I recall dreaming of something that seemed out of reach when I was just a kid. I shared that dream with an adult who agreed that the thing I wanted was unattainable. The "good thing," I was told, is that when you want something that you don't get, the situation solves itself because after a while you lose your desire for whatever it is you wanted in the first place.

Although that advice was disheartening, it was probably a genuine attempt to help me at that moment. And, it did eventually prove to be true, at least in that case.

With that early-life lesson to build upon, I have always been much more prone to adapt to circumstances in which I found myself and keep my "dreams" safely tucked away. Oh, I still did a lot of short- and long-range "planning," but I always sprinkled that with a good dose of low-risk practicality.

So, why revisit the matter of pursuing dreams at this point in my life?

That could have something to do with living that "second childhood" some have spoken of, which lends itself to opportunities to relearn things and ways we thought we knew. Or, maybe I am just not as patient as I used to be, realizing all the more that time will run out eventually. Add to that the fact that with my children grown and less of my time obligated to the care of immediate things, I have more time and inclination to ... well, to dream!

That can be a precarious thing. Just ask my even-more-practical-than-myself and happy-with-the-status-quo husband, Earl. He shudders when he hears me say something like, "Hey, I have been thinking about something." He knows I am getting ready to share an idea that I have been concocting in my head, and it will, no doubt, be of subject matter that has never blipped his radar.

This happened a few months ago and you should have seen the look on his face. I came armed with photos I had printed from the computer so he could see what I had in mind.

It took some convincing and, admittedly, one child-like tantrum, to let him know I wasn't giving up easily. He eventually got on board with my "vision" which has resulted in an oh-so-neat, multipurpose garden cottage sitting in my yard with greenhouse and window boxes soon to be added. I am so grateful for my new little space and for those who encouraged me and for those who helped build it. I have plans to use it in many positive ways.

All this has served to make me a bit more inclined to tamper with the status quo and let myself do a little more dreaming. Watch out, world, and brace yourself, Earl. Who knows where this could lead!

"Not much happens without a dream. And for something great to happen, there must be a great dream. Behind every great achievement is a dreamer of great dreams. Much more than a dreamer is required to bring it to reality; but the dream must be there first." -- Robert K. Greenleaf, Servant As Leader

Annette Rowe is a freelance writer from rural Gentry and a speech-language pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.