Youthful Dreams

You know, it's funny how the dreams of youth never seem to become the realities of middle age.

Ok, whoa. I know that's a BIG load to swallow right off the bat. But it's true. I wonder if everyone else had big dreams for their life as I did when I was young. I was going to be a famous singer (in some really kewl genre like opera...lol) but, alas, the closest I ever got was a tour of the Metropolitan Opera House while on holiday in New York City some, OH MY GOSH, has it really been 17 years ago????

I was accepted to Juliard at age 17, but being from a small, sheltered, southern town, it simply was not done for a young lady to move away from home to a big city and live alone. So there went my youthful dream of fame and fortune and I settled for life as something quite different indeed.

No, settled is not the right word for it. I never settled for anything in my life. I made decisions, took alternate paths along the road of my life and lived with my own consequences. And, I can't say that I'm not happy. No, wealth, power, fame and fortune did not come my way as once expected. But neither did the bitterness of lost dreams.

I have wonderful friends whom I love and cherish...friends that have always been there for me...and a family that I love dearly. There are also those dear to my heart, yet far away in body that I will never let go. So, above all, I would have to say I am blessed and very thankful that sometimes dreams do not come true.