He walked across the stadium with all the others who had worked so hard to earn their college diplomas. My heart fairly burst with pride as my eyes searched the long stretch of young men and women in hopes of catching a glimpse of my handsome graduate.

The day was bittersweet, and I brushed aside a tear once more as I yearned for his dad to be by my side. Ryan had lost his father and best friend while working towards his bachelor’s degree in nursing, so my thoughts and emotions were a mixture of joy and sorrow. I like to think that somewhere up there his dad was looking down with the same pride and joy that I felt in our youngest’s accomplishments that day. At any rate, I felt his presence with me as our son marched across the stage, complete with honor cords.

This time of year, parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles gladly sit in hard chairs or hot stadiums joining in the celebration of their loved one’s accomplishments. As they wait for their graduate to come into view many contemplate the years of hard work and sacrifice that go into obtaining that sought after diploma. Those late nights of cramming for exams or finishing up a paper are finally paying off for many young men and women across the country. My prayer is for all graduates to reach their full potential and never give up on their dreams.

“Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die

Life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly”

Langston Hughes

“Happy are those who dream dreams

And are ready to pay the price to make them come true”

Cardinal Leon Joseph Suenens

These words have always stirred and encouraged me to keep dreaming and working hard. Unfortunately, some people don’t have a dream. I think every one of us really needs one. One of my friends is at a place in life where she doesn’t have a real goal for her future. As we sat visiting over coffee the other day she said, “I feel like I’m at loose ends, and I don’t have any direction.” Since we are close friends and prayer partners I reminded her, “The Bible says that you have not because you ask not. Want to pray about it?” So my friend and I are praying that a new dream will be birthed into her heart.

I go through seasons when my dreams seem far away, and I wonder if I’ll ever be able to accomplish what God has placed on my heart. It is part of the human condition to battle discouragement at times. I guess if everything came easily we wouldn’t appreciate our successes as much.

I believe we not only all need a dream, but we need a big dream. I heard a preacher say once that true happiness is found in working toward a dream that can never be accomplished without God’s help. Wise words, I think. Keep on dreaming.

Jan Penton Miller can be reached at lilsisjan@yahoo.com.