Fulfilling A Dream

Posted by Karla Lofgren Davis, Inspired by John Echoff, with Additions by Charles Simmons and John Hammerle ~ First Published September 10, 2007

I received a couple of photos in the mail today from John Echoff. As I looked at the photos - first one and then the other - I had to smile. They are a perfect example of the kind of reminiscing I had hoped would be revealed as a result of this blog. The first photo shows John in 1949 proudly posing on a Cushman motor scooter. We can surely imagine what 7 year old John was thinking and feeling as he posed for this picture.

The other is a more recent photo (taken in 2005) - also showing John astride a two wheeler - but this one a much more powerful Sheriff’s motorcycle. John remarked in the letter that accompanied the photos that it was taken during an annual training exercise.

In the letter John also wrote the following. “Do you think I might have been pre-destined for my job?” You can read more about the things John has experienced and accomplished as a law enforcement officer in a comment after the post “Success Has Many Faces” or on his biography page. There is a great and somewhat amusing piece of John's writing there too, an article he wrote for a law enforcement periodical. John concluded his letter with this thought… “It’s amazing what can be accomplished if you really want to fulfill a dream.” John speaks volumes in those few words, and we can all read a lot into them from our own experiences.

I appreciate that John has shared these photos and these thoughts with us. I have been thinking tonight about what youthful dreams have been fulfilled in my life. Since I have made teaching my career, I think it is interesting that I was not in the Future Teachers Club at Milby. I can’t say that being a teacher was really my childhood dream. My dream was to be a homemaker, something that I was privileged to do full time for 18 years while our two sons were growing up. But working through the years in the field of early childhood education is surely closely related to that dream. I have been able to nurture my own children (and now my grandchildren) as they were growing up, as well as contribute to the nurture of a host of other little ones along the way. God has truly blessed my life!

In what ways have your childhood dreams been fulfilled? Please share your thoughts on this topic with us.

NOW ANOTHER DREAM FULFILLED... Soon after this post appeared in the blog, Charles Simmons submitted a similar series of photos of his own. The first picture shows a young Charles, a shadow of who he would become. Charles’ own words best describe his thoughts when viewing these photos. Charles wrote… “John Echoff’s piece inspired me to include one of my own. Like you, my initial ideas of myself didn’t pan out, but God had other plans. Is this first picture a premonition or what??

We never know, but it's becoming clearer!

Dream realized!

Hopefully these posts will encourage others to do the same. I look forward to it. Charles Simmons”

Click here to return to the "Charles for President" post on the main page.

AND YET ANOTHER DREAM FULFILLED…

John Hammerle picked up on this idea of “Fullfilling a Dream” with the following series of photos and comments…

From the Deady Band…

To the Dixie Cats at Milby…

To Director of the Westchester High School band in Houston (band shown here forming the “Chase Logo” in New York after the winning performance in the Macy’s Parade)

John went on to win the “Hummer Award” as the outstanding North Texas Director of Fine Arts.

John concludes… “I wonder how many others became what they thought about. They do not teach this in school. After seeing John’s and Charles’ paths taken, as well as my own, this would be an interesting topic of conversation." (Read John’s bio to learn more about the path his career has followed)

You can add your own "Dreams Fulfilled" thoughts in "words only" via a comment, below - or through photos sent to me by e-mail. I'll add them to the blog with your thoughts on the topic. Karla

CLICK HERE to return to the top of the main section after reading comments below, and/or making your own comment.

Comments

[Linda Strickland Little]

I enjoy reading the biographies of my Milby classmates. I would like to read about one young man that impressed me with his dream of flying planes for the Air Force. One day he did not show up for class, he was in the hospital. I visited him at the hospital and was sad to see his face turn to the wall as he stated, " I have a heart murmur and will not be a pilot". At 18 years old, I did not know what to say , I hugged him and left the room. We have all faced obstacles on our road of life and I would like to read the biography of that 18 year old boy, now a 65 year old man.

[Red Cushman For Sale]

John Echoff - You have got to take a look at the Cushman motor scooter photos (an ad and a vintage red scooter) in the "Milby Family Photo Album" in the right sidebar, just after Paul's Gorilla Album. I also inserted them into the article you wrote that is now on your biography page - check it out and let me know how you like it!!!

I've mentioned that folks are now accessing our blog through google and yahoo searches. Someone was searching for Cushman motor scooters and their search led them to this post of our blog. As I tracked back I found a treasure trove of vintage Cushman photos, ads, and items for sale. I couldn't resist showing them here for John's benefit. Check out those photos!!! Karla

[An Inspiring Message]

This is an experiment. Mike Roberts sent me this beautifully inspiring message today, and I want to see if you can access it from the blog. I wouldn't want to clutter the blog with just any old musical message, but this one really is special.

Turn on the sound and then click on this link. This is one of the loveliest animated messages I have ever seen. I hope you will enjoy it and be inspired by it.

http://susie1114.com/LiveALife.html

Be sure to swish your cursor around while viewing - an intriquing effect! Karla

[MOTHERHOOD]

Submitted just before Mother's Day 2008, by Karla Lofgren Davis.

At the end of John's original post (before Charles S. and John H. added their dream) I mentioned that my only DREAM while growing up was to be a mother. Although we struggled for ten years to have that first baby, then lost another before having the second… we persevered and I am so thankful that I was able to see that Dream Fulfilled.

The poem that follows was sent to me (and a host of others) by Ann Herman Beatty. Reading it conjured up all sorts of memories. Memories of…

•My grandmothers (and those “great” ones who came before them) who made my mother who she was, and who loved me unconditionally…
•My own dear mother...she apologized to me once in a letter for “not being the mother she should have been”. (How could she have felt that way?)…
•My own experience of being a mother to two little boys (now grown men)…
•My current experience of “mothering” 4 adult children and 3 grandsons with “one more due in October”

Thanks, Ann, for sending this to me. It was quite meaningful to me, and trust it will bless many readers of this blog as well! I hope they will share their thoughts on Motherhood with us in a comment below.

Motherhood

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here." Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who couldn't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse. For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes. And for the mothers who are now raising their grandbabies (or nieces and nephews) as their own.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors. And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars. And that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it. And all the mothers who DIDN'T.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat. For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again, "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college -- or have their own families.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches or sore throats, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up Right Away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words or ways to reach them. For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting. For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely. This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

This is for the jolt that takes her from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put her hand on the back of a sleeping baby. And for the panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when she just wants to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in her home? Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache she feels when she watches her son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? Or some other version of “letting go” with uncertainty and a feeling of loss.

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are of our own mothers, our own motherhood, and our daughters who are learning to be mothers.
"Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall.” And, “Home is where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.”

[Mike Roberts]

Such wonderful reflections ! !
Thanks Ann and Karla for bringing these thoughts to mind, Mike

[Charlotte Vann Casselberry]

Sorry to say that it's been a while since I've gone into the blog. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I opened it today. Thank you again Karla, for all your hard work, great ideas and inspiration. I need to get busy and find old pictures - I have a bunch.

This weekend is another Greater Houston Miniature Horse Association show at the Equestrian Center in Katy. My 8 year old Austin will be showing in a new age class. Austin is such a special link to my son Kyle whom we lost 3 years ago this week. I'm looking forward to a Blessed Mother's Day with my little champion.

I heard a wonderful testimony about Mother's Day that I'd like to share. I have no idea who she was, but this is what she said: "I didn't get flowers, nor breakfast in bed for Mother's Day. But I'm especially grateful to God for my children, because they take me to the foot of the cross everyday."

I've always said that my children and grandchildren KEEP ME ON MY KNEES.

Blessings to all on this special weekend.