Chase Your Dreams: Dream Bigger. When I think back on my childhood, I can’t help but smile. I grew up in a small farming community in Nebraska where life was simple, but it was full of lessons that shaped the person I am today.
I attended a one-room country school from first through eighth grade. Imagine one teacher taking care of every grade in the building. Looking back now, it seems almost unbelievable, but back then it was simply the way life was. We all learned together, helped one another, and became like one big family.
After eighth grade, it was time for the next big adventure. We left our little country school and headed into town for high school. Ninth through twelfth grade felt like a huge step into a much bigger world.
People always joke about the “good old days” by saying, “We walked to school uphill both ways through snow up to our knees.” Well, maybe not quite. But we really did walk plenty of hills.
On beautiful spring mornings and crisp fall afternoons, my brothers, sisters, and I often walked to school. During the winter or when the weather turned bad, our parents and a neighbour would take turns driving us. And yes, this part is absolutely true. I even rode my pony to school.
I’d tie him to the fence outside the schoolhouse where he happily grazed on the grass while I sat inside learning my lessons. At recess, we borrowed a bucket from the school so I could give him fresh water before heading back to class. Can you imagine that happening today?
Life was slower back then. We didn’t have smartphones, tablets, or computers. We had fresh air, chores, animals, and plenty of imagination. Looking back, those simple days taught me something I didn’t fully appreciate at the time. They taught me to dream.
The First Goal in Life
Like many young people growing up in a small town, graduation meant making one important decision. Would you go to college, or would you go to work? For me, the answer was easy. I joined the workforce.
That was simply what many people did where I grew up. College wasn’t expected for everyone, and honestly, it wasn’t affordable for many families, including ours. Some of my classmates went on to college. At the time, we thought tuition was expensive, although it was nothing like what students face today.
Some graduates found wonderful careers. Others earned degrees but struggled to find work in the field they had studied. Quite a few eventually worked right alongside the rest of us in factories or production jobs because those were the opportunities available.
Life has a funny way of reminding us that there is rarely just one path to success. Every person’s journey is different.
Off We Went
Before long, another dream came true. I married a wonderful man, and together we started raising our family. Anyone who has raised children knows life suddenly becomes wonderfully busy. With four children involved in sports, it sometimes felt like our family lived in the car.
One child needed to be at one ball field. Another had practice somewhere else. My husband would head one direction while I drove another. There were weekends when it seemed we hardly sat still.
One trip I remember especially well was travelling from Nebraska into Kansas for soccer tournaments. Those were long days filled with excitement, laughter, snacks packed in coolers, and cheering from the sidelines.
Looking back now, I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything. Those years taught me another valuable lesson. Life moves quickly. Sometimes it moves so fast that you stop dreaming because you’re simply trying to keep up with everyday responsibilities.
Between work, paying bills, fixing things around the house, raising children, and taking care of everyone else, your own dreams quietly get pushed aside. You tell yourself you’ll think about them someday. Then one year turns into ten. Before you know it, your children are grown, and you’re wondering where all those years went.
Looking Forward Instead of Looking Back
Eventually, retirement came knocking on my door. Some people dream about slowing down. Not me. I knew I still had more to give. Growing up on a Nebraska farm taught me the value of hard work. That lesson never leaves you.
I wasn’t ready to spend every day sitting in a rocking chair watching the world go by. I still wanted to learn. I still wanted to help people. I still wanted to build something meaningful. Like many parents, I also wanted something better for my children and grandchildren.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if one day your child called and said, “My car finally quit running,” and instead of worrying, you could smile and say, “Let’s go find you another one.” Or maybe they needed help buying a home.
Wouldn’t it feel amazing to lend a helping hand without creating hardship for yourself? Those aren’t just financial dreams. Those are family dreams. Those are dreams built on love.
Dream Bigger
Over the years, I’ve learned something important. Dreams don’t have an expiration date. You’re never too young. You’re never too old. You’re never too late to learn something new. After retiring, I discovered opportunities I never imagined when I was a little girl riding a pony to school.
The internet opened doors that simply didn’t exist when I was growing up. I’ve enjoyed learning new skills, meeting wonderful people, and discovering that retirement can actually become the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Today my biggest dream isn’t centred on buying expensive things. My dream is much bigger than that.
I want to help people. I want to encourage those who believe they’re too old to start over. I want to show others that learning never has to stop.
I hope to continue growing until one day I can teach others what I’ve learned, guide them through the process, and cheer them on as they reach goals they once thought were impossible.
Nothing brings me more joy than watching someone succeed. Knowing that my journey helped someone. That feeling when someone says, “Look what I accomplished!” There is no better reward. Every success story reminds me why dreaming bigger matters.
Your Dream Starts Today
No matter where you are in life, don’t stop dreaming. Maybe your dream is to start a business. Maybe it’s to spend more time with your family. Maybe you want better health, greater financial peace, or simply the confidence to try something you’ve always wanted to do. Whatever your dream may be, don’t let fear convince you it’s too late.
Take one small step today. Then another tomorrow. Little by little, those small steps become something much bigger than you ever imagined.
If a little country girl who once rode her pony to a one-room schoolhouse can continue learning new things after retirement, then maybe your next chapter is waiting too.
Keep believing. Keep learning. And above all, never stop dreaming bigger. Want to hear more of my story? Check it out here.
Keep Exploring With Us
Life is full of new opportunities if we are willing to keep learning and growing. Here at 1y36.com, I enjoy sharing real-life stories, practical tips, educational articles, and ideas that have helped me along the way.
I invite you to stop by often because there is always something new to discover. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, information, or simply a little encouragement, I hope you’ll find something here that brightens your day.
If you ever have questions or would like to share your own story, I would love to hear from you. After all, some of the biggest dreams begin with a simple conversation. THE FUN OF GOING TO SCHOOL