When I was in middle school, I had a diary. It had a lock on it and everything. I can’t tell you exactly what’s in it, because it was a victim of this summer’s Decluttering-a-palooza. (In other words, it’s hidden away in my cedar chest, which is currently located in my father-in-law’s shed.)
But one thing I remember from that little diary is a page where I wrote about what I imagined my life would look like a couple decades down the road. It’s funny. I saw myself, living in an city, mother to one little girl and alone. Why I would have imagined being a single mom back then, I have NO IDEA. My parents were – and still are – married, and divorce was never part of my fairy tale fantasies.
Yet that’s what I wrote about. That and a modern, urban apartment. And a legal career. Yep, I had it all.
Of course, that’s just one story I wrote for myself as a child. And thankfully most of it didn’t come true (although every now and then I wonder what it would’ve been like to go to law school…).
But lots of things I imagined for my future self as a child lingered longer: a big house with a wraparound porch, well-behaved children who adored me, a career where I helped people by using my creative skills (and was paid handsomely), a husband who still writes love letters and plans date nights and brings home flowers just because.
Oh, young Mary, how much you had to learn! (And, really, how much does Not-So-Young Mary have to learn?! After all, I’m the one writing this series!)
Yes, we all hold onto childhood dreams and hopes, plans, expectations that took root years – or even decades – ago. So as part of this month’s 31 Days of Giving Up on Fairy Tales, I’m asking for YOUR stories and reflections. This week? I’d love to read about how your real life compares to what you imagined as a child.
Write a post about childhood dreams, fairy tales and real life. Then link up here!
To follow my entire series, 31 Days of Giving Up on Fairy Tales, subscribe to this blog. (And when you do? You’ll get every post sent to your inbox AND a free ebook called Finding a Happier Ever After.)
Photo by burritoes
When I was in 4th and 5th grade, I wanted to be a NUN! In fact I shocked our Methodist Sunday school teacher by telling him that.
It must have been some way of expressing a longing I felt for God, but boy am I glad I”m not a NUN today!!! Life would be lonelier without my husband and two kids. :-)
Awww, I love that your young self desired to be closer to God! But, well, yes I can see how that would surprise your Sunday school teacher! :)
I distinctly remember imagining myself living in New York City, in a fabulous apartment downtown, working as an editor for a magazine. Wearing amazingly cute clothes and being paid enough to be able to travel the world. That life didn’t happen – and I’m glad. It didn’t include my husband, or my daughter. But I do still love writing and editing, so it’s been fun to see where God has taken that dream, for His glory (and not mine – which is where that story would have ended).
Of course we’re the same. I dreamed of NYC for a long time, too. And yeah, it’s been amazing to see what God has done with my love of editing. He’s so much more creative than I could ever be!!
Oh… I had so many dreams as a child lol! I still feel like a child in many ways:) Thanks for the smiles=)
As I child I wanted to grow up and become an executive secretary where I could sit at a big desk, smile, and talk on the phone. LOL. Well I did go to business college after high school. And I did get a couple of secretary jobs. And I hated both of them. No one told me it would be so boring….and I sucked at making and serving coffee. (This was back in the 70’s where that was still expected) So after having babies and becoming a single mom I went to college and became a nurse. Not because I always had that ‘fairy tale’ in my head, but because nurses made good money and I could raise 2 kids on a good salary…
Well, now I have to ask – do you like being a nurse??
As a child, I wanted to grow up and live and work for the children of Romania in orphanages.
Wow, Sharon, that’s a big dream! Did you do it? Do you work with children now?
Well, I did get my bachelor’s in social work because of this. And we did adopt 2 kiddos from Ethiopia. Honestly, I’m still pursuing this dream, though the focus has shifted a bit. I’m currently finishing up grad school in social work and hoping to use it internationally for this purpose…not sure how/if it’s going to play out, but pursuing it nonetheless.
Sharon, that’s awesome! I love seeing how God can take our early dreams and shape them into something that works together for our good and His glory!