Dream

Family Reunion

Jeanna GLeave a comment

A family member passed away this morning. As sad as it is when someone passes, I try to express gratitude for their time in my life, and the joy I experience as a result. George was the husband of my mom’s first cousin, Twila. Every summer, my family would stay in their home when we traveled out to Pennsylvania for our family reunion.

The reunion was always in July at Sunset Park in State College, right around the corner from JoePa’s house. We’d blanket the tables with homemade casseroles and desserts. The younger cousins would play a game on the baseball field. Announcements and prayers would be made concerning the happenings of the past year. We’d end the day at George’s house, catching fireflies and singing along while family members played their guitars and banjos.

A trip to Advent Cemetery was part of the trips, where we’d visit the resting places of my grandpa and other ancestors.

One summer, while swinging on the porch, a young girl walked around the side of the house with a basketball in her hand. In a fraction of a second I was by her side asking to play. Her family lived upstairs from George, so I was able to play with her every summer, and we were pen pals throughout the rest of the year. We’ve been dear friends for over 30 years.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts (Arts Fest) was usually taking place on the same weekend, so we’d join the crowds and view the creations. I still have a photograph hanging on my wall from one of those artists. The festival takes place in State College, home to the Pennsylvania State University. I fell in love with the campus and the spirit of the university. I knew from a young age that I would attend and graduate from Penn State. Everyone knew of my dreams, but George took an extra step to help me feel like my dreams were within reach. One summer, George drove me out to campus and walked with me to the gates of Beaver Stadium. No one else was around, and he and I just stood there staring into the stadium, my mouth and eyes a lot wider than his. He was so patient, standing there for who knows how long, while my mind swirled with all that was to come. I hope George knows how grateful I remain for that gift.

Grandma passed in 2005. She was our matriarch and primary connection to the reunion. It was in that same period of time that most of my cousins had moved out of their childhood homes, gone off to school or the military, started careers, and started families of their own. It’s not that family became less important with her passing, but the reunion seemed to fall by the wayside for the younger generations. There are a lot of us and we’re well spread, but maybe we’ll find a time and place to reunite. While there, I hope to be able to provide an impactful experience for a younger relative, the way George did for me.

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

Jeanna GLeave a comment

Do you have recurring dreams? For the longest time my recurring dream was of flying. I would be walking along, and when I approached a crowd of people I would simply push off one foot and begin flying over them. My flying technique looked like the breast stroke. I thought maybe my dream was trying to tell me I was impatient, but maybe it really was a wish to fly.

One summer I decided to make my wish come true by jumping out of an airplane! There was a skydiving center at a small airport near where I was working at the time. One of my coworkers had his own chute and had made several jumps, so I asked him to let me know next time he was going. He said he’d go that day! Well, I’m not one to go back on my word, so I jumped in the passenger seat, and off we went!

I paid just shy of $200, put on my jumpsuit, shook hands with my tandem instructor, and off we headed to the plane. I had been on small airplanes often in the past, so I was fairly comfortable in the loud, tight space. Don’t get me wrong though, I had quite a few butterflies in my stomach. I was given a few brief instructions on what to do during various points in the dive, and then it was our turn.

I was on my knees looking out from the side of the plane and then we just tipped forward into a somersault. It was amazing! And so, so loud! The wind felt like it was rushing through me. We fell for a bit before he pulled the chute, and then the noise whooshed away. The rest of the ride seemed slow until just before we landed. At that point the ground seemed to rise up pretty quickly. We had a somewhat graceful landing as we slid in on our rear ends, and that was that!

Another coworker followed us to the airport and I’m grateful she snapped some before, during, and after photos. My pre-smile was a bit shaky, but my post-smile spread from ear to ear. That experience was one of the most exhilarating of my life! I am so glad I took advantage of the opportunity.

Interestingly, I haven’t dreamt of flying since then. I guess it really was a wish come true. Now I have dreams of tidal waves and tornadoes, so I’m not sure what to do about that!

So what are your dreams? Could they be wishes that your heart is making? And how will you make them come true?

The 411

Jeanna G4 Comments
You found me!

I find today’s date to be apropos for beginning a blog that I hope serves as a source of information for you to use in your journey of growing young.

I don’t know about you, but I miss my childhood. It was fantastic! But like most kids, I put so much energy into growing up. I’d tell my age in fractions so people would know how close I was to my next birthday. I’d play M.A.S.H so I could dream of all the potential scenarios for my future. And of course I worked my tush off so I could achieve my goals because I was certain I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. SPOILER: I am not living out my Senior Superlative.  

So what was the point in trying so hard to grow up if I was so content with being young? I have no idea. I mean, yeah, I did have to grow up and move out and get a job and all that, but why stop doing all the things that I loved? 

Puberty. I blame puberty for so many things in the world: poor attitudes, lack of imagination, the inability to make friends or dance in public, hasty judgments, self-consciousness…

Now that I’m in my forties I’ve been thinking a lot about where I am in relation to where I hoped I’d be. More often than not, my contemplations end with wanting to go back to my childhood. Now I’m not one of those people who are filled with regrets and are bitter and spiteful. I honestly wouldn’t change a thing because I truly am happy. I just miss a lot of stuff.

So what’s the 411? This blog is going to be like a giant, virtual game of Sardines. Remember that game? So I’ll be here waiting for you, and when you find me, hang out until more people find us. Hopefully a lot of people will find us and then we can share ideas of how to grow young together. 

So whether you loved and miss your childhood, you didn’t have the childhood you wish you had, or you’re not too happy with your adulthood, this blog is for you. I’ve been told many times that I’m very childish. I accept that as a compliment every time. In posts to come I’ll be letting you in on the attempts I make at growing young, and I hope they help you to have more fun!

DISCLAIMER: I feel like I need to make clear the facts that I am not a doctor or a life coach, nor do I carry any other certifications to qualify me as someone who can tell you what to do with your life. Please only do what you’re comfortable with and can carry out safely. 

We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. – George Bernard Shaw