The Impossible Dream

Dear ETK Family,

As I sat and listened to our most recent candidates interview for this year’s ETK scholarships, I once again realized what a privilege it is to hear their stories.  But more importantly, I was aware that it was a privilege to hear their dreams; dreams about life, dreams about family, dreams about their future.  And by dreams, of course, I’m not referencing what happens to most of us as we sleep.  Instead, I’m talking about our aspirations, our most deeply embedded hopes.  Apparently, dreaming is part of being human and is certainly cross cultural – we all have the capacity.  But only some of us trust ourselves enough to live it out.

When I graduated from high school, our “class song” was a hit from the1960’s musical “Man of La Mancha” entitled, “The Impossible Dream.” Google it and check out the words and listen to the music; it has been covered by many, like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and Susan Boyle..  It was inspirational for me then and perhaps you will find it to be the same now.  A more recent version of that theme can be found in the movie “La La Land,” where Emma Stone sings “The Fools Who Dream.”  Google that song as well and know that she is singing about you.  Somehow you have found the courage to be a chance-taker; to risk seeking that which is best about yourself. All of you are, indeed, painters and poets and are on a quest of immense proportions.