I May Not

I may not get to travel to the peaks of the Himalayas

With ice picks and striking views

Piercing through,

Or to the savannahs of Africa and the chic sites in Europe.

I may not get to enjoy the safaris or dives

That the adventurer in me longs for

I may not get to speak to a dolphin

And learn from its ways

While swimming in the turquoise waters

Of a far-off island.

I may not be well-known for my speech, voice, or writings;

For my smile, my dancing, my heart.

A film or paper may never detail what I’ve done,

And the things I’ve done may not earn me

Money, respect, praise

Power, influence, friendship.

But I will know every day that I live

Where happiness greater than I ever could imagine lies.

Everything I do has purpose.

No thing that I could be doing would ever make me feel

So complete

So fulfilled.

I am joy personified.

These people – the creation of myself, my husband, my God –

Will change the world.

Will personify

Love, mercy, good will

Kindness, happiness, wisdom

They will know love and happiness

Overcome and drown out hate and pain.

I may not be able to do all the things that I once dreamed

When a teacher said, “Write what you’ll do, what you’ll be.”

Maybe an opportunity will come. Maybe not.

But how was I to know, when I wrote my dreams,

That my dreams were worthy

But nothing

Nothing at all – a moment, a feeling, a thought.

While I may not

Do, have, go

See, experience, live

The things that I dreamed I would.

I have everything.

More.

All.

Even though I may not.