I know you have dreams. Maybe, you’re pursuing and accomplishing them. Maybe you consciously gave up on them and moved on. Or maybe your dreams have fallen by the wayside because, well, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans,” as John Lennon said in Beautiful Boy.
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It was the early to mid-90’s, and I was in the middle of my traveling years. This was a special time for me. You might say I found myself though I never knew I was lost.
On Columbus Day weekend, a couple of friends and I decided to rent a cottage in Lake George, NY. We sat by the lake, fished, rented a canoe, and just hung out. We also partook in some substances.
The next morning when my head stopped spinning, I was sitting on the porch in my underwear. The rest of my clothes were wet. Don’t ask me how – I have no idea. One of my buddies – EI – and I were talking about our dreams, goals, and where we saw ourselves in the future. I forget EI’s response. Hey, it had been a crazy night. Yet, I remember what I said, “I want to have a piece of my writing published by the time I’m 30.”
I never submitted anything to a publisher.
A couple of years later I went to Long Island University and earned a dual Master’s degree in Creative Writing and Literature. I loved the program: I moved to New York, met new people, and wrote regularly.
I still never submitted anything to a publisher.
When I turned 30, my friends organized a surprise birthday party at a bar. Drinks, friends, and presents. I was doing little writing at the time and the dream of publication was as hazy as my mind was that morning in Lake George.
After losing two jobs in the span of 13 months during the post 9/11 recession, I got into teaching. It wasn’t completely random. I had been considering it for a while, and the time seemed right. Just following the path I felt G-d was sending me on.
From day one, I understood why I had been warned repeatedly about simply surviving that first year of teaching. The thought of how can I help the students both academically and personally was overwhelming. Some good things were happening though. I’ll never forget the principal giving me a review that said, “Has the potential to be one of the best teachers in the building.” Yet, everyday was a challenge. My confidence and emotions fluctuated more than a kid without his ADHD medicine.
At the same time, I was taking classes at night to get a Master’s degree in Secondary Education. Oh yeah, Ms. MMK and I were expecting our first child. BR was born in the Spring. It was a year I will never forget.
Writing was far from my mind.
As the years went by, I settled into teaching. There were highs – received a standing ovation – and the everyday joys of simply seeing kids learn and forming relationships that made differences in children’s lives. There was PW who I was supposed to tutor after school. We connected right away, and things were going well. Then he stopped talking. Wouldn’t say a word. After a few days of talking to him, and simply getting shakes of the head, he spoke. The words eeked out: mother, step-father, yelling, cursing, separation, not knowing where to go, confusion.
And there were lows. Classes that were nearly impossible to control, a school whose discipline wavered, parents who simply did not engage, and materials/equipment that worked only occasionally. Then there was the beating. It was first period and there was a knock on the classroom door. I opened it slightly and was brushed aside and told, “This has nothing to do with you.” A freshman was pulled out of his seat and beaten up by three juniors while I screamed for the school agents to come and break it up.
Writing was not far from my mind.
Ultimately, after flirtations with writing, I would immerse myself again in my responsibilities at school. However, the joy I had for teaching was fading. I worked hard for the students and cared greatly about their success and their future. Yet, the work and atmosphere were grating on me. I had seen bitter teachers who were always waiting for June and counting down till retirement. Not for me. I would never be such a person.
This summer I took action.
Three years ago I started my blog. Over the past year and a half, I’ve been pursuing freelance writing work. I’m enjoying writing as much as I ever have. The dream never died.
And the time has come to strive to fulfill my dream.
So, I resigned from teaching. I miss the students. I even miss the classroom – a little. But this phase of my life is not completely over. I am tutoring (know anyone who needs help?) and striving to teach part time.
However, my primary goal is to pursue my dream and that means writing. Freelance writing, blog writing, essay writing, fiction writing – that is what I’m doing.
No more school bells, it’s time to follow a dream.
May it be the right path!
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Graphic by R. Lebowitz
Best wishes as you start this new adventure, Larry. After so many ebbs and flows, a fresh start will likely feel very good.
Thanks dude. It does feel very good though nerve wracking as well!
Holy SH-T!!!!!!!!!! I’m proud of you! Not to mention excited and terrified. Looking forward to hearing about the journey.
The language Ms. Dyen (sorry I don’t know your married name). Tsk tsk. Excited and terrified sums up the way I’m feeling. I’m sure I’ll be writing plenty about this journey.
Well, there it is. In print. Wowsers.
I’m proud of you, and I’ll be praying for you and the family through the transition. Keep us updated!
Thanks Jess.
Putting it out there further does feel like a step. This is is the time, so might as well go all in.
I’m sure I’ll be posting about it, in some form or another, often.
I am pulling for you. I think good things are coming.
I appreciate that and hope you are right.
Larry-
This. Is. Amazing. I hope the only bells you hear are those of success! I love the way you timeline the dream, and while even though there were times you lost touch of it, you never actually let go. Best of luck. Big step. Big goals. Big talent, my friend.
Thanks Creed. I appreciate that.
I also want to thank you for continuing in the classroom. I have all the respect in the world for someone who can continue to teach and remain fresh and enthusiastic. Keep fighting the fight and feel free to share your stories with me. I’ll live vicariously through them.
Good luck Larry! I have similarly deferred publishing dreams, and it’s a courageous thing to put them back at the forefront.
I appreciate that. My dreams of publishing and what exactly that means have changed over the years. I have feeling they will continue to change.
Wow, big step! Congratulations! I know how difficult it can be to step into a new phase of life. It takes courage. Kind of like jumping off a cliff. I wish you the best of luck with it. You’ve certainly got the degrees and the experience to back you up!
Yes, it is a big step. Thank you. I just hope something is there to break my fall as I jump off that cliff. I’m not sure how much the degrees matter but they can’t hurt.
Wow! Awesome! Good luck. Can’t wait to hear all about the writer’s life. Hope it’s all you dreamed it would be. 🙂
Thanks a lot. I am sure what is going on will appear in my blog in one way or another often – especially in the beginning.
Ooh, a fiction book too? What will your first book be about? Do you know yet? I’m excited for you.
I am not looking at a book at this point though I do have the first 1/4 of a draft written. However, it’s not my priority and I can’t seem to motivate myself for that when there are so many other writing assignments I am working on.
I do have a children’s book out at a publisher and awaiting word. So, keep your fingers crossed.
Larry, this is absolutely FANTASTIC!!! I am so proud of you. Having a dream is one thing, pursuing it needs guts! I am sure you will do great things!!
Thanks Tatiana. I appreciate that.
I’m excited and nervous. I think that is natural for where I am.
So now you put it out there and you have to do it! No backing down now.
I know you can do this, just keep pushing through your fears and the roller coaster and you’ll enjoy HUGE success.
And LOVE that new picture on your site. That’s so you 🙂
I know – right? I can’t just slip in and slip out. Uggh, the pressure! Oh well.
Just keep pushing through – that’s the goal.
Glad you like the pic – thanks for the feedback.
Oh my gosh!! I am so excited for you!! Congratulations. I wish you all the best as you pursue your dream. You are an inspiration. So happy for you I could almost burst!
Let’s not do that. I truly appreciate your genuine enthusiasm. Thank you!
Wow! Wonderful!! Good luck on your adventure. It must be going around a bit…you will really appreciate this now http://mamalode.com/story/detail/out-loud-dreams/#.VBRdc2Cwq8E.twitter
It looks like we have something in common! So, how are you proceeding? I’d love to hear a progress report.
Btw, I published something on mamamlode recently though unrelated to the topic we have been going back and forth on -http://mamalode.com/story/detail/out-loud-dreams/#.VBRdc2Cwq8E.twitter
So…how goes it? I hope you are staying busy.
The beating sounds quite traumatizing, by the way. Holy wow.
I am busy – wish I was busier making money!
The beating was crazy.
I think I’ve commented – but since I don’t see it here – and I can’t find any of your stuff of FB to look up, I’ll just comment again! 🙂
Congratulations! It’s nice to know that the dream didn’t die and I wish you well!
Thanks Kate. It is an exciting and scary time. I am enjoying the challenge.
Good for you!
Thanks Jackie.