Christopher Reeve’s aka “Superman” once said” So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then When we summon the Will they soon become Inevitable” Many times in my life I have had the privilege of seeing individuals seemingly impossible dreams come true. For example, in 1997, my youngest daughter was involved in a severe car accident. She lost a substantial amount of long term memory and basically all short-term memory. The doctors said she would never be capable of caring for her young son alone due to safety issues, like forgetting she had something on the stove; continuing her education would simply not be practical, life looked bleak from the professionals point of view. They just didn’t know my daughter and her determination, tell her she can’t and she will push to prove you wrong, she refuses to let “stuff” stand in the way of her dreams.
I am proud to say, the professionals were wrong, she worked hard to regain skills, create methods to help her memory, and not only went back to school, but has completed 3 degrees with highest honors. Her husband also recently completed the dream of completing his Bachelor’s degree. He took classes online while working full-time and graduated Summa Cum Laude. They would say it wasn’t easy, but hard work and determination always pays off in the long run.
What dreams do you or someone you work with have? My youngest grandson, Jeremiah, dreams big. He tells his mom about how he wants a car, and needs to go to college (since she told him he had to graduate college before getting married). She tells him steps that can lead to fulfilling dreams, careful to not simply say no or impossible. I guess since she has overcome what many though was impossible she won’t destroy his dreams. I am trying to learn from her example and encourage others to dream big for yourselves and set high expectations for individuals with whom you work. You never know when the dream can move from impossible to inevitable.
Randel C. Goad – Mandt Faculty Supervisor
