Well, that little dreamer is all grown up now with all of her aspirations and dreams laid out on the table. I feel like I’ve grown a lot in the past few years and learned more about myself than I ever thought possible. I completed my first year of college at one school and the next year I found myself at a new college with a whole new outlook on life. I’ve loved, learned and lost, but I could not be more grateful for how things turned out. I was able to travel all around just like I always said I wanted to do and I have met some of the most incredible people along the way. I also learned that some of the things I thought I would always want in life were things that I may not have needed in this life and that is OK. Most importantly, I stayed true to myself and pushed through my fears and doubts to get to where I am today and I would not have been able to do that without growing up in a place where I was constantly told that all of my dreams were possible if I worked for them. For that, I would like to say thank you.
Thank you for the way I can remember my elementary years:
I loved my close knit family, friends and community and I can still look back on my adolescent years and smile. The way it felt to finally go out for recess and play kickball, the way the sun felt warm on my face while I sat outside and read a book, the way I felt when I finally heard my mom and dad come home from work—I’ll always remember it, every single detail. The freedom to be whatever I wanted in life and with the support to get me there was one on the most liberating feelings and this allowed me to believe that I could achieve anything I wanted. I constantly felt secure and reassured that no matter what, everything would always be OK.
Thank you for some of my rebellious years:
With all of these big dreams and aspirations, I sometimes forgot to stop and actually appreciate what was going on around me. Growing up in such a small town I always felt like I was held back and I was constantly counting down the days until it was time to go away to college. Sure I loved my friends and the fun we had, but everything seemed too simple and I craved that real world experience (and boy did I get just that). Despite all of this, though, there will always that be a special place in my heart for Friday night football games, pep rallies, and of course, senior stand.
Thank you for who I am today:
No matter where all of my big dreams and aspirations take me, I will always know that without my childhood home I would not be the person I am today and for that I will be forever grateful.
Love,
Your Not-So-Little Dreamer
