07/09/99

Comments from Fellow Dreamers

In response to "The Stuff of Dreams" (6/13/99) ...

"The whimsical turns and shifts of fate. I keep forgetting that simple lesson," comments one reader. "How would I volunteer for missionary work in New Zealand?" Note from Beth Bruno: To find an answer to your question, put the words "New Zealand missionary work" in the window of your favorite search engines and take it from there. I tried it and found several possibilities for you.

On to the Next Dream

"I am a dreamer, too. I dreamed of being a writer, so I wrote poetry, short stories and essays. Well, some poetry and essays have been published, but my major success came from journalism. After success and some money, I left writing to focus on another dream, which was to create a conservation area for rare and endangered plants. I am finally making it come true. I started an area in my back yard from plants I bought from the New England Wildflower Society. When that is filled, I will take it to my neighbors and see if they will let me plant more plants on their two acres of unbuildable land.

"Other dreams? I want to finish two books I've started; I want to put in a water area in my yard for rare and endangered swamp and bog plants; I want to go on a Sioux vision quest; I want to see the Grand Canyon; and I want to someday be able to go to picturesque areas with canvas and paints in hand and paint landscapes."

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Living the Dream

"Priority one: Gail, the love of my life. 1965 at Xavier High School. Great kids (trouble at times) but what kids aren't? A grandchild is wonderful. I'm living the dream. Thanks for asking."

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I Imagine Myself in the Movies

"I identified with the Barbara in your article, because I was adopted, too, and have always felt like a pork chop at a Bar Mitzvah in my home. I still have a hard time fitting into places comfortably. After my experience as an adoptee whose mother told me she loved me, but with a different kind of love than she had for my sisters (who were not adopted,) I can't say that I would ever adopt myself. Especially after the experience of having a child I created. The love I have for my daughter is so beyond words, I can't imagine baving those same feelings for a baby I didn't give birth to. Now as an adult, I love my adopted parents and am close to my birth siblings and to my adopted sisters. It was a long road to get here. When I read about Barbara, it gave me hope. I am not shy, so that is not a malady I have to overcome. I have always been heavy though. Food for comfort you know. But like Barbara, I have always found peace in reading. I am by no means a writer (I don't have the skills or talent for it) but I always fantasize about it. The same with movies. I imagine myself in them. I hope she gets published and fulfills her dream. I always root for someone who has a passion for something and it comes true. If we don't have dreams, we can't have them come true!"

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My Dreams Never Come About

"Whatever I would like, whatever goal I set, seems never to come about. I used to daydream and dream a lot about the future and what I would like to do, big and small. Now I don't dream anymore at all, because it hurts too much to see them crumble before your eyes."

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I Want to Publish Just One Book Before I "Go"

"Someday I would like to write children's books, but the everyday rigors have made my research slow to a stop. My neighbor who owns a bookstore knows several published authors, so has been helping me along. I should put it at the top of my priority list, but right now making 1000 paper cranes is #1; weeding the veggie garden is #2; and getting through the summer with three little ones (one of whom counts for two because he needs so much of my attention) tops them all! I tell myself that I don't know when it will be my time to "go," but I sure hope I finish at least one book before I do. I may not be too good at articulating what I want to say, or I may use too many words to say it, but, nonetheless, that is my dream. To do something I'm, not very good at . I guess I've always liked a good challenge."

Please send questions or comments to bbruno@snet.net.