10/10/2022
The Impossible Dream.
This past Friday night, I found myself seated in a cushioned folding chair, squinting against the stage lights in the front row of a small Opera House in downtown Boothbay Harbor, Maine. On the drive there, the twilight sky had been replete with purple, lavender, rosy pinks and even an almost a smoky salmon hue. The last remaining smudges of color were disappearing rapidly as the moon rose over the bay in a proud display of silver and shimmering pastels. As we drove up the hill toward town, flashes of lightning streaked sideways across the sky and thunder rumbled in the distance. All of the elements seemed to be seeking to outdo one another. It really is impossible to accurately describe the moment though I’ve given it my best shot here.
Remarkable. Unforgettable. Poignant. You get the drift.
There’s nothing like autumn in New England. The light just hits different. The colors are more vivid. The air is crisp and clear and here on the coast, everything smells like the ocean and pine trees. Fresh. Earthy. Salty and sweet. The whole effect is intoxicating to all of my senses. It gives an overall vibe of expectancy for me. Of wondering what may be around the next corner.
I still can’t believe that I get to live here (occasionally). 😁
Someone like me who grew up in south Texas and never heard of or experienced this magical place until well into adulthood.
Seems surreal. Like an impossible dream has come true.
Pinch me.
This best describes how I felt on Friday night in the dark, beautiful old Opera House. Front and center waiting for the Irish tenor, Emmit Cahill, to take the stage. My mother in law had invited me to the concert and though I’d never heard of him, he’s a member of the group ‘Celtic Thunder.’ I love all things Irish, but had no idea what to expect. Just a piano and a microphone graced the stage. As the piano player settled himself behind the keys, Emmitt walked unassumingly up to the microphone and proceeded to belt out the most incredible version of “The Impossible Dream” I can ever remember hearing. Probably I loved it so much because of his lilting Irish accent coming through. It made me really listen to the song fully. It inspired me to Google the lyrics when we got home.
More on that, later.
The concert was outstanding. So many amazing moments. The pianist, Seamus Brett was incredible as well. I had a nice chat with him and his cheeky Irish accent as we made our way out afterwards.
Very pleasant evening all around.
When we got back to the house, I came inside, and was immediately subjected to very enthusiastic wet and sloppy greetings from my two doggies who can’t seem to wrap their walnut sized brains around the fact that I do, indeed, always come back after I leave. We settled in for the night and I looked up the lyrics of The Impossible Dream which I’ve summarily posted above.
I’ll admit that after reading the words the first time, (which are very impactful and dramatic), they still didn’t really make all that much sense to me. I thought, maybe I need to watch Man of La Mancha or something. So…I read them again a few times and just for fun, I started to ask myself some thoughtful and somewhat relatable questions. As you might have surmised, since the summer tourist season has ended, there’s not much else to do around here on Friday nights.
Ok, so here are the above-mentioned questions, with their corresponding answers, which I’ve contemplated carefully after pulling them straight out of the old w***o.
Q. Have I dreamed impossible dreams?
A. Absolutely yes. And many of them actually came true.
Q. Have I fought any unbeatable foes?
A. Yes. Some turned out to be beatable after all. Some mercilessly kicked my rear end all over the place.
Q. Have I borne unbearable sorrow?
A. Yes. I still do and quite often. Such is life, I’m afraid, for all of us.
Q. Have I run where the brave dare not go?
A. I have. On many occasions. Sometimes willingly, sometimes not. I wasn’t always brave, either.
Q. Have I righted an unrightable wrong?
A. Well, according to spellcheck, there’s no such thing as an ‘unrightable’ wrong.
I pray for forgiveness for the countless wrong, stupid, hurtful or unkind things I have done along the way. Some were unintentional. Some were not. Only God can make things whole again. I can try to make things right but in my personal experience, there are no guarantees.
Q. Have I loved pure and chaste from afar?
A. Pass.
Just kidding. I’d have to say, sometimes yes and sometimes no. I won’t elaborate or name names. Let’s move on, she’ll we?
Q. Have I tried when my arms are too weary?
A. I have three kids. Duh.
Q. Have I reached the unreachable star?
A. I like to think I have reached pretty darn far. But consider this; if it’s unreachable, no matter how hopeless or no matter how far, how will I or any of us ever achieve this? Seems like a trick question, quite frankly and this is where the song kinda meandered off the tracks for me.
Q. Do I fight for the right without question or pause?
A. Y’all know me. Yes, I do. But sometimes I would do well to question or at least pause a little. IYKYK 🙃
Q. Am I willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause?
A. You best believe that I not only have done so …but I am willing to do it again and again, as God calls me to it. 💪🏼
I’m going to admit here that after all of this, I’m not totally sure what the ‘glorious quest’ is referring to specifically, but I will say that my faith goes before me at all times. That I have always dreamed big with God and believe Him capable and willing to dream right along with me, too. I know God delights in loving us, His children. I’ve never been afraid to go boldly into this journey called life and ask definitively for what I want or pray fervently for whatever needs may arise whether it’s for myself or those I love. So far, despite improbable odds, devastating loss and and some seemingly overwhelming obstacles, (and with the love and support of my husband, family and wonderful friends), I’d say not only have I dreamed the impossible dream, I’m gratefully experiencing it in real time, right now, in beautiful and vivid living color.
My heart is at peace and I’m calmly considering the rest.
I pray you’ll be blessed in all that you do dear friends. If you’re going to dream, you might as well dream BIG. After all, you never really do know what may be around the next corner. 🍁🍂🍁
Blessings,
Cat ♥️
