hopes-dreams

Thank you to Ruth Ayres for providing this space to share our celebrations. Please join us and share your own!

Let me begin this post by saying that money isn't everything. I know that. I believe that. Money doesn't bring joy or happiness. It doesn't solve problems...so why am I talking about money? The lottery. A couple of days ago I received an email at work asking, "Want to participate in a school-wide chance to win and split 600,000,000?" 

I ignored it and continued on with my day. At the end of the school day, I walked into the hall and felt an electricity, a new energy. I watched teachers and staff run down the hall with two dollars in their hand. 

I followed the crowd. I watched. I noticed. People were paying money to be part of this chance. I listened. I wondered. I noticed people smiling, talking about what they would do with the winnings. I heard optimism...anticipation...hope. I'm in. I want to be part of this. After I paid my two dollars, I felt excited. This could happen. At lunch on Friday, the conversation revolved around what we would do with the winnings. Pay off student loans. Travel. Buy a house. Get take out lunch everyday. The energy felt buoyant. Hopeful. The dreams started getting bigger and bigger and the hope exploded. The chances that we will win the lottery are...

It's not about the money. It's about the hope. The possibility. If there were no limits, what are your dreams? It occurred to me that we don't take time to dream. In my dreams, I own a lovely beach cottage at the Outer Banks. I feel relaxed and at peace there. Other dreams are practical, pay off my car, save...I find I'm out of practice. DREAM!  I'd love to attend writing and teaching conferences around the world. I'd really love to start my own school! Tuition free...the best teachers who love their students and their jobs...where we know our students and serve them! See how good I get at dreaming, once I have some more practice?!?! When the lottery numbers are called Saturday night, no matter what they say, my dreams will continue. I celebrate the hope that this has awakened in me and so many and I celebrate dreams and hope.