Chasing dreams.

My last year of high school was full of talk. Talk about going to college, next steps and plans. It was about what would "make a good living." *That* always led the conversations at our household growing up. I never felt like I missed out on anything big but I do recall dreams that stayed, well, in just that category. Things I wanted or intended to do that were not pursued or fulfilled. Side note in case you think I'm losing it.. I'm not: I currently am a VERY happy, adjusted woman.

When our oldest kiddo confirmed his post-high school plans involved pursuing Junior hockey I shuddered. I wanted him to go to school, so badly. I had a ticker tape running constantly through my head with the wall street bells including phrases such as: "Get through school, Keep your eye on the ball, If you stop now, will you really go back? and are you aware of how competitive the workforce really is?"

It wasn't until late one night that the Mr. of the household sat me down and looked me squarely in the eye. The conversation was deep - about living life and exploring. Chasing dreams when you're young. Thinking of all the time we have to grow up and how little of that time is really spent doing exactly what we want. After that night, I agreed (still begrudgingly) to go along with no immediate collegiate career... and a life of uncertainty and Junior hockey tryouts.

Today, it turns out, is a tough day for chasing dreams. T has been in New York for a little over a week working toward a spot on a team. He was released from the camp this afternoon with a big lump in his throat. His dream still lives, but not in New York with that particular team. It is great life experience to gain feedback and insight along the path of chasing dreams - it can be formative and really educational but as a parent it's tough. We spend time protecting our kids from difficulties so we can take the pain and make it slightly less. Today was real life, unsheltered.

It is my hope that when we pick him up at the airport Monday he'll be mending for the next leg. As it turns out, the next chase bears another hockey dream chase in the form of a departing car for Canada with Dad early Friday morning. As I think about it tonight I learned early in life that pursuing dreams was what helped form me. I can only hope the same for T and the rest of the kiddos who have spread their wings as they move onto college campuses across the nation. Dream - and chase the dream!