Thursday, January 17, 2013

The Big O's I Have a Dream Speech

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.
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29 comments:

  1. fullsoulahead.comJanuary 17, 2013 at 7:03 AM

    Chills up and down my spine, and lump in my throat. Go Oliver. Go, go, go you sweet, beautiful little man.

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  2. The Diamond in the WindowJanuary 17, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    I 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

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  3. Vesuvius At HomeJanuary 17, 2013 at 7:44 AM

    Oh 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.

    I know it will come true, too.

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  4. Greg PincusJanuary 17, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    That's awesome. I'd love to be in the classroom when he performs it.

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  5. TaradharmaJanuary 17, 2013 at 8:08 AM

    I love his dream!

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  6. JillJanuary 17, 2013 at 8:14 AM

    That is awesome. What he said and HOW he said it.

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  7. 37paddingtonJanuary 17, 2013 at 8:31 AM

    Oh 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.

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  8. AndreaJanuary 17, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    What 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.

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  9. Neuro Chick- Kid DocJanuary 17, 2013 at 11:04 AM

    Oh wow, amazing! Go Big O, way to dream. MLK Jr would be proud. Of you and of your son....

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  10. kristaJanuary 17, 2013 at 11:09 AM

    oh. lord. i'm too hormonal for this. this one got me.

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  11. DeanaJanuary 17, 2013 at 11:38 AM

    What 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.

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  12. VictoriaBJanuary 17, 2013 at 1:27 PM

    Love your dream, Oliver.

    Have 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

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  13. C.January 17, 2013 at 1:34 PM

    Rock on Oliver! Should get top top marks!!

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  14. canettesJanuary 17, 2013 at 1:48 PM

    Oh dear lord is that fabulous! --Christy

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  15. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2013 at 1:56 PM

    That 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 :)
    ~Julianna

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  16. MaryJanuary 17, 2013 at 2:40 PM

    This made my day!

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  17. Lisa LilienthalJanuary 17, 2013 at 3:54 PM

    OLIVER FOR PRESIDENT! Am so in love with this boy.

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  18. Ms. MoonJanuary 17, 2013 at 4:29 PM

    That boy is going to be all right. Not just all right. He's going to be (and he already is) FABULOUS!
    Watch out world. The Big O is here.

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  19. karioJanuary 17, 2013 at 5:32 PM

    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.

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  20. BethJanuary 17, 2013 at 7:23 PM

    I 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.

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  21. Denise Emanuel ClemenJanuary 17, 2013 at 9:23 PM

    Oh my god. Elizabeth. Bless this boy.
    And may the dream be so.

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  22. Steve ReedJanuary 17, 2013 at 11:17 PM

    What on earth is DBQ? Sounds like a worthy dream, Oliver! Bravo!

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  23. Scarborough Kindness ProjectJanuary 18, 2013 at 4:15 AM

    I never comment, but I couldn't resist this one. Oliver, that was truly brilliant!

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  24. N2January 18, 2013 at 4:56 AM

    Way to dream, Big O! And way to keep the dreams alive in the boy, Elizabeth! May all your dreams come true. x0 N2

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  25. LeslieJanuary 18, 2013 at 5:24 AM

    There was poetry in this, and it brought tears to my eyes.

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  26. UnknownJanuary 18, 2013 at 1:27 PM

    Wow! What an amazing kid! I hope his teacher encourages him - I'm guessing that school is the last place he's expecting any encouragement

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  27. TheresaJanuary 22, 2013 at 12:47 AM

    Wow. He is a wow, there is nothing more to say.

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  28. L. PetersJanuary 22, 2013 at 6:39 AM

    Amazing 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!

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  29. krlrJanuary 24, 2013 at 7:09 PM

    Am 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!

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