My Childhood Dream Now Comes True Every Day

How to listen closely to your heart

First think, second believe, third dream, and finally dare.

— Walt Disney

I have very vivid memories of my early childhood, dreaming of the infinite possibilities that lay ahead.

I had the fortune of growing up in the countryside, surrounded by a forest, vegetable gardens, and a fruit orchard. All of these provided for a ripe imagination.

Most days, I went outside to explore amongst the dappled sunlight.

My grandpa Art, who lived with us, would often ask me, Queenie, what will you do in your realm today?

I can picture him wearing his handknit cap cradled on his bald head, smiling at me. Out of everyone I encountered, he presented the infinite to me.

We looked out at the expansive horizon and mountains in the distance, drinking life in as it flowed all around us.

In those days, I was close to my heart.

Curiously, one day I made a typewriter by gluing wood scraps together from our family workshop.

I longed to be like our secretary, who had an office in our home to help us with the family business of building and selling handmade weaving looms.

I cherished her orderly file cabinets, neat desk, and pretty butterfly stickers. She was someone I aspired to be.

As soon as I could write, I made checklists, surveys, and notes.

I even got to put a butterfly sticker on my lunch bag as I loved to eat lunch with our secretary Mary and my dad’s shop employees.

Years later, when I was in grade school, my grandparents gave me an old-style typewriter for my birthday. I remember how fascinated I was. A whole new world opened up to me.

Throughout school, I wrote stories, poetry, and writing assignments. The writing was my solace and my refuge on difficult days.

Even though it was close to my heart, becoming a writer never seemed like a career choice for me.

I explored many options in those years, such as astronaut, fashion designer, and geologist.

Perhaps I was not allowing myself to listen to my spirit.

Fast forward to college, where I majored in graphic design and Spanish. To my logical side, those seemed like the best choices.

When I look back, I had the most success when I wrote essays for art history or delved into the meanings behind the books we read in Spanish literature.

I did not pursue a writing career until 2020. However, I am grateful for the journey I went on to find myself again.

I know I always chased something others would find acceptable.

Now I come back to my childhood dream.

Every day I can live out my dream of being that creative secretary. I live with an open heart, a keyboard, and a beautiful horizon in front of me.

Instead of filing and making notes, I write stories from my heart to yours.

Now all I need are some butterfly stickers.

What were your childhood dreams? In what way are you living them out now? Please share your story in the comments. I appreciate you!

Thank you to Ellie Jacobson and her publication Flint and Steel for the beautiful free writing prompt about childhood dreams. I appreciate Ellie for her ideas that spark creativity in our essays each week.