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I had a dream I can’t explain; perhaps I shouldn’t try. I am in a place I can’t make out, and the following is on my mind. Not sure if I am thinking, maybe I’m speaking, but if I am I don’t know to whom. I’m not sure which it is, but regardless, the perplexing dream goes something like this…. I have traveled quite a bit in my life. I have always wanted to see the world. However, from my most important trip I had yet to find a plan or path towards home. I knew that there were fast ways, short ways, scenic routes, dark, desolate ones, and many common roads, I can’t explain why I rejected all and instead I made my own. It wasn’t a conscious decision; it was something that I had no choice in. My heart chose that path for me and to reject it was not an option. The road was dim and barren; I could see no one in sight; it was windy, narrow, and dangerous; but perhaps beyond all this laid the light and my fate, bright. On this path, peaks and valleys were sure to arrive; yet I was confident in my decision because hardships were my drive. I looked forward to opportunities; because without challenges, what is life? I was moving fast, paying no attention to my surroundings, past or present; my mind was focused on the future. Experience was my teacher although I knew it was a gamble. You see for me there was no chance to study; unlike mortal teachers; this one tests first and then teaches the lesson. In my home I envisioned happiness, peace, a place where there is love. I saw a place where people live carefree in a just and proud society. In my home everyone had an opportunity to succeed regardless of race, class, or gender. Beyond this, we all lived as brothers and sisters under just one race and just one nation. The road once dark had now become darker; my vision once clear now had disappeared. At this point, a giant flash of light appeared, coupled with screams of women, children, and from my eye a tear. And just like that, from my dream I abruptly rose.

That day was different from any other before. The birds weren’t singing, the day was bland and amazingly I had nothing to do so I did not get up. Instead I decided to think. I thought about the dream that I just had which led me to think about my life. I thought about my past; the right I have done but also the wrong. I also envisioned my future but as is true of many, my future is still not clear. I thought about my present, perhaps the strongest of the three; I have a home, a family, a companion, and a dream to someday achieve. As I lay there thinking, the strangest thing happened then. I received some visitors. But that wasn’t the strange thing; what was strange was that the one became two, the two became a few, and slowly the number grew. I wanted to get up to greet them but for some reason I didn’t, instead I greet them with a smile. I hadn’t seen some of my family in years and it was just nice to see my friends and peers. They brought me presents; mostly flowers in all different shapes and colors. I didn’t have a favorite for as long as I can remember, no one had ever given me flowers. I was happy to see everyone; to me family is the key. Everyone I respect; younger, older, through my years. They sang to me; was this a dream? For the first time in my life I think I understood happiness. As I contemplate the splendor of life I focus on the flowers and their intricate detail. My vision is clear now, but wait, it now is blurred. The day becomes night but me, I’m still not worried. I was happy. I thought I was dreaming…. but I never woke. Perhaps I am free now; perhaps now I’m home.