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| Yosemite, 2012 |
He's achingly sweet and scythe-sharp and gets from one to the other with breath-taking speed. He was assigned an I Have a Dream speech as part of the celebration of King's life, and while there was a whole lot of grumbling and agony, this is what came out (I should add, here, for new readers, that Oliver despises school and is moderately dyslexic, so he has to work very, very hard, and even then, feeling successful is very elusive):
I Have a Dream
I have a
dream never to come back to school. I have a dream never to do my math homework
again. I have a dream never to write any DBQ or mini-Q again. I have a dream
never to open my orange science book. I have a dream never to fill out my P.E.
log.
But I know
that this dream will probably not come true.
I have a
dream instead to wake up and build a big farm with animals and a river going
through it for kids with disabilities and kids that are in wheelchairs and kids
that need help. I have a dream that I’ll be the director of this farm so that
everything runs smoothly and only kind, thoughtful and hard-working people will
work for me at this farm.
And I know
this dream will come true.
Chills up and down my spine, and lump in my throat. Go Oliver. Go, go, go you sweet, beautiful little man.
ReplyDeleteI hear him. Homework, all if it—I have been hating it on my kids' behalf for quite a while. Has he listened to the awesome Dav Pilkey interview? It's nice to hear it from a grownup who made it through... http://www.wgbh.org/News/Articles/2013/1/15/Hold_On_To_Your_Tighty_Whities_Captain_Underpants_Is_Back.cfm
ReplyDeleteOh my lord. The first paragraph had me in stitches, but half way through the second, I was in tears. Tell Oliver his dream is beautiful. You might have a healer on your hands.
ReplyDeleteI know it will come true, too.
That's awesome. I'd love to be in the classroom when he performs it.
ReplyDeleteI love his dream!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome. What he said and HOW he said it.
ReplyDeleteOh god. This gave me the shivers in the very best way. Have you ever heard of camp sunshine? Its in casco, maine and is for families with kids with debilitating illnesses, but the model Oliver descibes is the same. Going to email you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a funny and beautiful dream and such a gift for self expression. I can easily imagine that place he dreams of will one day be real.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, amazing! Go Big O, way to dream. MLK Jr would be proud. Of you and of your son....
ReplyDeleteoh. lord. i'm too hormonal for this. this one got me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful dream...and with people like Oliver in this world, we all can rest well that our kids will be taken care of once we're long gone. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLove your dream, Oliver.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of the FRED Conference? Farms and Ranches Enabling people with Disabilities. March 1 & 2 at LAX Marriott. I'm thinking of going.
http://www.fredconference.myevent.com/?cp=1
Rock on Oliver! Should get top top marks!!
ReplyDeleteOh dear lord is that fabulous! --Christy
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful. Have you heard of this? http://www.heartbeet.org/index.php I have a few friends who have worked there--sounds a lot like his dream :)
ReplyDelete~Julianna
This made my day!
ReplyDeleteOLIVER FOR PRESIDENT! Am so in love with this boy.
ReplyDeleteThat boy is going to be all right. Not just all right. He's going to be (and he already is) FABULOUS!
ReplyDeleteWatch out world. The Big O is here.
Rock on! I hope he can ride out the coming years where he has to continue to open textbooks and take tests with his dream intact. Something tells me he will. What a gem, that Oliver.
ReplyDeleteI told my husband a long time ago that when he dies, assuming it's before I do, I'm immediately going to a convent retreat for at least a year so I'll be left alone. Changed my mind: want to go till the gardens at Oliver's farm.
ReplyDeleteOh my god. Elizabeth. Bless this boy.
ReplyDeleteAnd may the dream be so.
What on earth is DBQ? Sounds like a worthy dream, Oliver! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteI never comment, but I couldn't resist this one. Oliver, that was truly brilliant!
ReplyDeleteWay to dream, Big O! And way to keep the dreams alive in the boy, Elizabeth! May all your dreams come true. x0 N2
ReplyDeleteThere was poetry in this, and it brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteWow! What an amazing kid! I hope his teacher encourages him - I'm guessing that school is the last place he's expecting any encouragement
ReplyDeleteWow. He is a wow, there is nothing more to say.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how he sums up in one speech exactly what is wrong with our school systems today. They do not do much to inspire a child's dreams. Way to go Oliver, you know exactly what's important in life and you will be the best farm director there ever, ever was!
ReplyDeleteAm just catching on my reading - This made me both grin and a little misty eyed. A rare feat given my stoney heart. Such gorgeous children you've raised!
ReplyDelete