‘When We Dream, We Grow’
A friend sent me an email about an eighty-seven year old lady who dreamed about going to college. The advice that she offers is timeless. Perhaps you will enjoy her story and advice too.
The first day of school a gentle hand touched my shoulder.
I turned around to find a little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.
She said, "Hi. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?"
I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze.
"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to take on this challenge at her age.
"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me.
We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to Rose as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.
Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went.
At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.
She leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry. I'll never get my speech back in order so let me tell you what I know." She cleared her throat and began,
"We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.
There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream.
There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.
If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.
Anybody can grow older! That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.
The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do."
At the year's end, Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those months ago. One week after graduation Rose passed away peacefully in her sleep.
Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.
Growing older is mandatory. Growing up is optional. When we dream, we grow. When we move towards our dreams, we grow more…
If you too would like to go to college like Rose, the following titles at the Toronto Public Library may help with the financing of your 'dream':
Guide to Canadian Grants and Assistance Programs from Government and Private Sources;
Guide to Canadian Scholarships;
Scholarships Canada.com : Entrance Awards Directory; and
Scholarships, Grants and Prizes.
Also, visit TPL's recommended websites at Scholarships, Grants and Financial Aid.
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