When Dreams Collide with Reality

     Have you noticed that dreams don’t always come true?
     For example, I’ve yearned to see Stonehenge, that ancient circle of rock pillars in England, but the opportunity never arose. So Duane and I recently trekked to an American version - Carhenge.
     It’s a humorous imitation outside Alliance, Nebraska in the size, shape, and proportions of Stonehenge. Through “blood, sweat, and beers,” creator Jim Reinders says he and his family arranged thirty-nine vintage automobiles in a circle, some buried trunk-end down to create columns, others welded above to form arches. While Stonehenge represents a civilization four thousand years ago, Carhenge represents our American civilization with our love of mobility.
     But Carhenge symbolizes much more to me. It reminds me that we don’t always get what we want. I longed to see ancient stone pillars, I got crazy car columns. Among my other desires, I’ve dreamed of a pristine home pictured in “House Beautiful.” Mine is lovely, yet gathers dust bunnies I could trip over. I’ve yearned for perfect friends, but I get people as quirky as me. I’ve fantasized romantic love, but I get someone who needs forgiveness as much as I do. The contrast between my idealized notions and stark reality is like the contrast between Stonehenge and Carhenge. One is an unrealized dream. The other is reality. And if I don’t embrace what comes my way, I miss out, because the real deal may be as good as, sometimes even better, than the fantasy.
​     It may be even as wacky as Carhenge.