“Have you ever been apple picking?” my friend Leila asked.

“I’ve always wanted to go.” I kept my eyes on the road for our exit.

“I’ll tell you the trick,” said Leila. “You have to twist the apple. If it’s ready, the stem breaks right off. But when the fruit isn’t ripe, it simply won’t come off. You can keep twisting and twisting, and it still won’t come. Or you could force it off, but then it won’t taste good. You can’t tell just by looking.”

”So You don’t know until you try,” I said.

I hope you will forgive me when I break format for this post. I can’t provide a SINGLE circumstance in this piece because this dream come true for me was built on what feels like a million moments.

Amidst a sea of positivity, I let one voice stop me from swimming. Anyone relate? I had a funny idea. One that makes me laugh just thinking of it. An idea that others joined in with amusement and encouraged me to try. Did I listen to their voices? Nope. Did I let the voice of one friend, who laughed (not in a good way) at my idea get to me?

YES!

My brother’s costume idea confirmed it: Joshua was a kid genius. He was probably ten and declared, “I’ll dress up as Frankenstein and you girls can take turns being Igor.” According to him, we would have the opportunity to push Frankenstein door-to-door in the wagon. My twin Rachel and I were actually excited about this idea. Some adult must have stepped in...

Growing up with pups, I loved them. However, one dog shifted that love into pure adoration.

With two paws planted on the low window ledge, a small black creature peered into our dining room window. Saying— “I’m home. Wanna let me in?”

In our backyard, of brick walls, there is no way this pup “arrived” unassisted. Of course, we searched for his people and, quickly realized, we were them. I often joked, and still sort of believe, we’d find a parachute and slung off Snoopy bomber goggles. ID tag: HEAVEN

This week, I had a dream I just can’t shake. And after some reflection and real-life intervention, I don't think I want to. It all makes sense.

Somehow, a little fly got trapped inside my car. He flew in when I stopped to get a breakfast taco on my way to Midland.

“Please fly out little guy,” I coaxed, cracking a smile at my own little joke. Five minutes later, I waited at Sonic for my diet cherry and lime coke. “Okay buddy, both doors are open for you now.”

The windows in my lime green beetle stopped working in 2020, just like everything else. Mr. Buzzy had a choice to make: get out now, or wait a loooong time for the next stop.

#WestTexasDriving

Each time, he bzzzzzzed, fought and tried to “escape” at the window. I opened my door, and he just kept flying to the crack where he “should” have been able to escape. Buzz Buzz flew from window to window, totally missing the wide-open doors that waited for him.

I hope you will forgive me when I break format for this post. I can’t provide a SINGLE circumstance in this piece because this dream come true for me was built on what feels like a million moments.