I dreamed of owning my own home since I was ten years old. I would say it, and my mother, some of my sisters, and others would laugh at me.
“Then you will die without living,” someone said, pushing silence away.
“I don’t care what you say,” a small female eased closer as someone handed her a microphone. “If the bank can take it away, I won’t be able to enjoy it until it’s mine.”
“That makes no sense,” someone said.
“When I go up, I have no intention of coming down,” she said swaying her head and her index finger in the air. “So, if I go up there with the bank owning all of my dreams, hard work, effort, time, energy, my stuff,” her right hand resting on her upper chest. “One mistake and my dream will become a nightmare!”
“Damn!” many voices said in unison.
“Still makes no sense,” someone persists.
“Let me share the Cliff Notes,” she eased closer, her fingers demonstrating, painting a picture of understanding. “My family lived in a Sty. My father got a better-paying job. We started living like kings and queens based on what the bank owned. A financial crisis hit the economy, costing jobs in all business areas. No job means no income. That’s how I learned that no matter how high up you think you are. Or how perfect you think your life is going. If the bank is a co-owner of your dreams, if you aren’t smart with your finances, the bank will own all of your dreams!”
Silence halted heartbeats as many children and adults cough after realization hits.
“You are hired!” Bruce said to her. “What’s your name, young lady?”
“Shelia Dinero,” she said, smiling.
“So that’s what you meant when you said you choose when to start living,” David Jackson said from his wheelchair.
“Yes, son. I dedicated several years to focus on paying my creditors, and when I owned my business/dreams,” his eyes were on Shelia. “I started living the life I want. You see, many of us, the moment we get a high-paying job or position, we move up the ladder with our creditors beside, behind, and in front of us,” Bruce shared.
“But that could take years,” someone said.
“Like she said,” Bruce pointed to Shelia. “One mistake, whether yours or life’s, will cost you your dream.”
“So, your main focus is paying the bank off quickly in case any financial crisis occurs; you will still be standing,” David asked, wheeling himself closer.
“So, what if nothing happens?” someone else asked,
“Which world do you live in?” Shelia asked. “Humans are in charge; something is going to happen. And I want to be prepared if anything happens. As the owner of my dream, I decide who I share it with.”
“But you might still have to return to the bank?” someone suggests.
“I could get a business partner and still maintain control of my dreams,” Shelia explains.
“Did I say you are hired?” Bruce repeated.
Laughter slides through briefly.
“So, your success sat on your ability to plan ahead?” David asked.
“It’s that simple, and one of the best ways is to ensure you are the owner of your dream. Like she said.”
“But you still have to fight to maintain your dreams,” Sheila cut in. “But it won’t with be the bank.”
“Who will it be?” many voices question.
“Ego, greed, divorce, bad decisions, lack of common sense and planning, etc. What? Do you think the fight ends because you own your dream? Someone out there will want to take it away from you!”
“How old are you?” Bruce asked.
“Twenty-two,” Sheila answered.
“Are you sure?” Bruce pressed on.
“I don’t think the hospital or my birth certificate would lie,” she said as everyone laughed.
“You have felt the pain of stolen dreams?”
“Breathe, lived, tasted, and witnessed both parents lose their dreams to a financial institution,” she informs. “And no one is going to take mine away!”
“You are hired!” Bruce repeats again.
“So, you started living the life you wanted the moment you became the owner of your dreams,” David said, grabbing everyone’s attention.
“You got it!” Bruce said as the graduates absorbed what was said.
I hate to borrow anything from anyone, so I practice independent living, even with my finances. I, too, have experienced what Sheila has. I have dreamed of owning my home since I was ten. I would say it, and my mother, some of my sisters, and others would laugh at me.
I am the first of my mother’s children to own my own home and probably the second or third of my father’s fourteen children. When I bought my house, the bank owned 48%. It was a ten-year mortgage. I live and think economically, dedicating years to paying them to own my dream. Eight and a half years later, my dream became my own.
And no one will take it away from me.
Then, I start a new fight to maintain it. The best part of owning your dream is that your children will also be motivated to own their dreams.
Whatever crisis hits Jamaica’s economy, no one can take my dream away. Plan ahead carefully and smartly, and own your dream!
Do you own your dream?
Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoyed it.
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