What's your dream?

I don't have any plans today except to lie down and chill. I had another argument against my brother so plans have changed. I went to my sister's house to unwind and rest for awhile. I had the chance to play and take care of my nieces and nephew. My brother and his girlfriend went with me to my sister's house. I brought chocolate ice cream since it was too hot outside.

I asked my nieces to sleep and only one of them did which earned a prize. My brother and his girlfriend forgot their ordered food from Chowking so I asked them if I can just buy it as the priz for my niece who slept and they agreed. My oldest brother also went to my sister's house and treat us with pizza and soft drinks.

I had fun with them and we sang a lot of nursery rhymes to entertain their 10 month old sister. We also watched music videos on their television. When I'm in their house, I always try to make them put down their phones because they spend too much time on their gadgets. I always try to make them enjoy the presence of one another by playing mind games, talking to them and singing a lot.

My other sister and I are supposed to go home in the afternoon after eating the pizza and the soft drinks but we were asked by my brother-in-law to stay for dinner. We stayed there while my sister was asleep. Their dish was home made fried chicken with gravy. It was delicious and I asked my nieces to eat with me.

While eating we were having wholesome conversation with each other. I told them that if ever I will have a tattoo I'll have it tattooed behind my ear but they were so against it because they told me that I am a teacher and a teacher should not have a tattoo because as a teacher, I must be a role model. They also asked me the name I'll give my future children and I told them the names and they told me that the names I chose are ugly and doesn't sound appealing. Then our conversation went on until it was about their future dreams and goals in life.

As children they have a lot to say when it comes to dreams. One of them told me that she wanted to be a scientist even though she's not good in science and I told her that no one is good in a specific thing in the beginning. There'll be a process which will help a person excel in his or her chosen career. Another one of them wanted to become a chef, doctor, teacher and painter. She also shared that she did a vlog for her school activity about her future dream. One of her sisters commented that she has lots of dreams and I told them that it's okay.

It's okay to have lots of dreams and goals in life. You can definitely achieve it but you must take one step at a time. I also told them that their dreams and goals in life has the chance to change over the course of time as they grow older. The other one told me how she wanted to be a chef and cook delicious food. All their dreams and goals in life made happy. It's amazing how an innocent child can think of a bright future with no worries or troubles in life. I love how I was reminded that maybe their excitement filled eyes are also reflected on my eyes while I was answering what my dreams and goals in life are when I was their age.

Then my two older nieces left the table because they are already finished eating. Take note, I am talking to ten, eight and five year old children. After the ten and eight years old left the table, my five year old niece asked the question I never thought I'd be asked. In fact I was stunned at her question and I was speechless for a moment while she was staring straight to my eyes.

"Ikaw ta, anong pangarap mo?" (How about you aunt? What's your dream?)

I looked back at her and she was waiting for my response. I began asking myself what my dream was but I wasn't able to find a definite answer. I was confused and having an internal struggle with myself. I don't know how to answer that question. I never even thought about it for quite a while now. After being stunned for about a minute I told her that I just wanted to have a house and lot named after me and she seemed satisfied with my answer that's he continued eating.

They still have a lot of questions to ask me but I told them that it's almost 8 a.m. and my sister and I has to go home. I just told them to send me a message or just wait for my return so I can answer their questions. They told me to come back soon and I told them I would if I am not busy. Upon going home, I told my sister about it and she said that I lost against a child because I don't know what my dream is. I laughed to myself for not knowing the answer either.

Her question made me wonder and ask myself what I really wanted in life. I don't feel accomplished now that I am a licensed professional public school teacher. Maybe I paused or I somehow stopped dreaming. But yeah, I'll be thinking about this for the next couple of days to come. Indeed, children are vessels of wisdom which will teach the adults things that they don't know.

Love_16

March 5, 2022

Saturday