October 1, 2008

Hello!

When I read about this semester-long blog project on the American Dream, for some reason I thought of the movie, “Pretty Woman.” Maybe it was because I had just watched it the weekend before. Maybe it was because (at one point in my life) Richard Gere was MY American dream. But, as I thought about it, I think it was because of what the “Happy Man” says at the beginning and at the end of the movie, “Welcome to Hollywood! What's your dream? Everybody comes here; this is Hollywood, land of dreams. Some dreams come true, some don't; but keep on dreamin' - this is Hollywood. Always time to dream, so keep on dreamin'” (Pretty Woman, 1990). Change Hollywood to America and I think the happy man sums it up.

As I reflect on my American Dream, I realize it’s changed over the years. When I was in the fifth grade, we made a memory book and wrote what we wanted to be when we grew up. I wrote, “I want to be a teacher and a mother.” Fast forward xx years and I’m a mother, but not a teacher.

When I was in college, my dream was to work for the St. Louis Cardinals. I submitted my resume several times – both in St. Louis and in Springfield. Today, I’m content to be a fan.

When I started my first job after graduation, I liked it so much I was going to stay forever. I stayed there sixteen years before I admitted my dream had changed.

Currently one of my dreams is for my family to be healthy and safe. As of today, that dream is doing ok.

So, maybe my American Dream is the freedom to choose and then change my mind. Maybe it’s the freedom to try new things. I wonder… can a dream be a goal? We have always been told to reach for our dreams, so a dream CAN be a goal. Or is a dream just really a dream?

I asked my supervisor, “What is your American Dream?” His very quick response was, “To win the lottery.” In his case, I think a dream is really a dream.

My son is in fifth grade now, so I thought I’d ask him what his American Dream was. He mentioned freedom and liberty. Then I asked him what he thought he’d like to be when he grew up. He wants to be a chef or a teacher (“Gotta have a back up plan in case one doesn’t work out”). Then he says, “I want to get my Master’s degree before I turn 40.” (I didn’t start until I was almost 40, so he’ll have me beat.) He also mentioned getting his doctorate. Man, he has high goals.

In the end I guess I’m like the Happy Man in “Pretty Woman.” “Some dreams come true, some don't; but keep on dreamin' ….Always time to dream, so keep on dreamin'”

So, until next week, keep dreaming.