When Your Dreams Take a Detour

When I was about eight, my older brother decided that he wanted a tree house. He bugged my parents and wouldn't give up. There was one problem: We didn't have ANY trees even close to big enough for a tree house. In fact, the only tree we had was a tiny sapling almost big enough for some shade. However, my brother  happened to be the kind of person that would fixate on something until it was accomplished. So, my mom told him if he wanted it bad enough he would find a way to make it happen.

That begun the daily bike rides about two miles away, sometimes with lumber, hammers, and nails, to a neighbor's house. This couple had plenty of full grown trees and no little children at home anymore. Sometime my sister and I would follow on our bikes. There was already a perfectly good tree house in a tree in their backyard and we would spend hours playing in the ready-made play house, while my brother toiled away trying to build his own house in a different tree. 

Our way was easier and we sure had a good time, but looking back on it, my brother was the one who worked and learned. He was the one who got to enjoy something he built with his own hands. He didn't let the fact that we didn't have a tree stop him. He found a way to make it happen, he didn't take the easy way, he did the work.

Well, about a year ago I began an expedition to my tree house (otherwise known as pursuing my writing). My husband has always been so patient with my great plans and dreams. He lets me follow them and change plans when needed, without judging or letting his frustration show. My tree house is just not shaping up like I thought it would, it is time to decide what I'm going to do when I grow up. Maybe there is another way to build my tree house.

After much prayer and looking at many options, I have decided to apply to Dental Hygienist school. I can already see you all screaming, "WHAT?" 

I know, it's a new one, but it's a way I can build my tree house, and enjoy playing in it when it's finished. This career is a great way to make enough money to help out my family and to still have time to work on my writing, since almost all hygienists work part-time.

I have already started taking my pre-reqs and will apply to the school in February. It is really scary, since they only accept 18 students a year. But I believe if it is the right path for me, it will happen.

Julia is not happy about me going back to school. She remembers what I went through a few years ago when I finished by bachelor's degree, but I know my family is behind me in my new adventure.

This is not the path I had planned to take, but if it means I get my tree house, I'm ready to do the work!