As a child I dreamed of an adventurous world-career. In grade school, without traveling far away from our then relatively remote Blue Ridge mountains, I somehow imagined in my lifetime becoming a global traveler, diplomat, and foreign correspondent.

We are told to follow our dreams. Sometimes we abandon or lose them. How do we proceed to concretize our good dreams, especially in stressful, unpredictable times, as we’re now living?

Birthdays are ideal for a focused examination of one’s life and future plans. For me, my summertime date is the time for contemplating lessons learned and reinvigorating hopeful dreams.

This year in August is special for my reviewing and re-imagining. My birthday occurs again during a deeply challenging, fearful time for the world in our shared history. I was

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