“Runnin’ down the dream”

We all have dreams. Dreams of what our future will look like. Dreams of who we want to become. Dreams of being successful in whatever goals we choose to accomplish. For some, the realization of those dreams seems to be easy. They plan, they set their goals, they implement their plans, and voila! Their dreams come true. For others, dreaming doesn’t even seem possible, or if they do have dreams, they lose hope along the way, maybe because the dream was just too unrealistic, or they didn’t have the support they needed to make those dreams come true. Even with a truly spectacular dream that could come true, some people just can’t seem to get through all the minutiae to get them there. They get lost and have no support.

In 2008 our family took a trip to Idaho. One of the activities we chose to participate in was white water rafting down the Salmon River. This was at least our third go at the rafting experience and something that all of us enjoyed immensely. The thrill of the river run with its class III and IV rapids was a thrilling roller coaster ride. Working together with the other people in our raft as a team, and being led by a skilled guide just added to the joy and quality family time we experienced.

Ryan’s “Runnin down the dream” in his life is not unlike a water rafting trip. The end of the river run is the dream. Making that dream a reality begins in preparing for the trip and then getting in the raft and receiving instructions, including making sure life vests are worn. The people in the raft with Ryan are his team, working together to help him, giving him the tools he needs to succeed and finish the run (making the dream come true). His team includes his coaches, doctors, therapists, teachers, mentors and parents. They should all be working in unison, together as one. Sometimes, though, someone in the raft is going off on their own, which can cause the raft to spin, and maybe even throw someone overboard. Sometimes it might be Ryan that isn’t working with the rest of his team. And sometimes the raft itself through no fault of the team’s is sent swirling out of control even if everyone is working together because of some unseen drop or rogue wave, then everyone is thrown from the raft. Getting back to the raft, turning it right side up and all climbing in again to right the raft, and begin again can be frustrating. Fortunately, the life vests were worn, so no one was lost. Although maybe a team member needs to be replaced with a new team member waiting along the shore who can offer better assistance. At this point, everyone needs to reevaluate their roles, reevaluate the end goal and start again down the river again.. The rapids along the way, the highs and lows of each and every dip and waterfall, the possible ejections from the raft, as well as the calming water that sometimes comes afterward, are all steps and projects, and frustrations, and failures, and successes along the way.

I haven’t yet mentioned the role of the guide. The guide’s role is to provide instruction and leadership. And of course to make sure the passengers arrive safely at the end of the run. Usually there is only one guide. But in Ryan’s dream, there are many guides. Each takes a section of the run and manages the team. Sometimes the guide may even be Ryan himself when he needs to let his plans and voice be heard.. Each guide has a particular skill at a particular part of the rapids. One guide may be in charge of the calm, and another guide may be in charge of the class IV rapids when more expertise is needed. Myself and Ryan’s dad may be the guides at various points if there needs to be some righting of the raft.

Runnin’ down the dream takes a full raft of people to help make Ryan’s dreams come true. Thank you to all those who have been in the raft and are still in the raft with him. It’s been a wild ride and I know that there is more to come……

I will end this with some lyrics from Tom Petty, one of Ryan’s favorite musicians:

“Yeah, runnin’  down a dream that never would come to me

Workin’ on a mystery, goin’ wherever it leads

Runnin’ down a dream”

Runnin’ Down a Dream –  Tom Petty