Just another day. . .

Catching snowflakes on your tongue -- one of the free joys of childhood.

I'm having difficulty writing every day. My life is not very exciting or interesting. I don't live on a farm or a ranch or in a quaint English village. I don't find chickens in the road, longhorn cattle in my barn, or wild mustangs in my pasture. I don't golf, travel, publish, lecture, or sky dive. I don't know -- and have never known -- any famous people, and they don't know me. Most of my days are pretty much like the day before -- which is why it's always been difficult for me to keep a journal consistently. But I know that my hundreds (heck, let's make it thousands) of loyal readers will be disappointed if I don't write, so here I am.

I went to a wedding today. We drove over two hours to a small, rural town and witnessed a simple, no-frills ceremony in a lovely, simple church building. The sanctuary was not adorned with flowers or candles or ribbons. The bride's dress was simple, but lovely. The groom didn't even wear a tuxedo. The reception featured no catered dinner, no live band or DJ, no fog machine or disco ball. So what? This handsome young man and his sweet bride are just as married as a movie star after a million-dollar ceremony. And they are just as happy and just as hopeful about the future.

I'm hopeful about my future, too. Sometimes I find myself wondering, What does Heavenly Father want me to do with my life? I know. . .I'm nearly 59 years old; whatever He wanted me to do, I should have done by now. But that doesn't stop me from wondering, thinking, dreaming. Sometimes I forget about my age. I forget about health and financial limitations. I imagine myself writing a best-selling novel and traveling the lecture and talk show circuit. I imagine refurbishing an old one-room schoolhouse and teaching homeschooled children in it. Or I imagine converting my own home into a "dame school." Of course, I would write a book about my experience which would be an inspiration to thousands of frustrated, middle-aged teachers across the nation. I imagine participating in a days-long bicycle tour with my grandchildren -- exploring the historic and natural beauties of our state, taking pictures and chronicling our experiences. I think about going back to college and completing my degree in English, or completing my Master's Degree in education, then someday teaching at a local college. I dream about leaving a financial, intellectual, spiritual, and cultural legacy for my children and grandchildren.

Then I climb out of the car and take five minutes straightening up my back and knees, steadying myself with whatever I can grab as I gingerly make my way to the house.

Am I in denial? Perhaps. Should I just face reality, accept the fact that these are unreachable goals, and focus on my life as it is? Perhaps. But I don't think so. I may never reach my dreams -- but I'll get farther than I would have if I'd had no dreams at all. Right? Of course right.