A Dream Come True
If you could have seen their faces . . . or mine, you would understand why I say a visit to my alma mater Washington Center Elementary School was a dream come true. In front of me sat 272 smiling children the same age as me when I said, “I want to be: 1) a teacher and 2) an author.”
For fifty years my second goal eluded me. When that dream came true, Finding Joy in the West: A Quest to Ride My Bike in All Fifty States was published in April, I had to go back to my roots. The desire to return to the school where I grew up, the school that molded me into the person I am today grew as each day passed. I needed to tell those children to follow their dreams, never give up, not listen to naysayers, and to find their joy.
Through many phone calls, emails, and a visit with principal Keith Goldfuss, we scheduled a talk that will forever be emblazoned in my heart. Tuesday afternoon, he introduced me to the largest, most respectful group of wide-eyed listeners I have ever stood before. I set my note cards on a table (never to be looked at again) and began with a thank you to their principal, teachers, and them for their undivided attention. After thirty minutes of telling them how remarkable they are, how dreams can come true, and that the world needs their unique contributions, 200 hands shot up.
Their short questions led me to long answers, yet they stayed focused despite me losing mine. We could have engaged for another hour, but busses and cars were lining up to take them home—home where I hoped they would share with their parents that they had witnessed an author hold back tears because she had just realized a dream come true. And they too had dreams they knew would one day come true.
Thanks for being a part of this journey!
If you enjoyed reading this blog, I’d love your support in growing this community! Please share this with your friends, family, or anyone who might find it interesting. Your shares help me reach more people to help them find their joy.
Joy M. Walker
August 21, 2025 @ 3:57 pm
I felt privileged and such joy to be among the teachers and 200 eagerly attentive students listening to you tell them how your dreams have come true. The most recent dream of being an author came true even after 50 years! I was inspired by hearing you tell the children not to listen to those people who will say they can’t do it and to go ahead and do it anyway!!! I’m so proud of you!
Cathy Walker
August 22, 2025 @ 9:57 pm
Thanks, Cathy. It was nice to have you there. I appreciate your support.
August 23, 2025 @ 9:02 am
Well said Cathy!
August 21, 2025 @ 5:41 pm
Joy,
You sure are an amazing gal!
I’m not good at writing but want to let you know that I have enjoyed ALL your blogs.
I can’t imagine how you have the time to do all your writing, and yet seem to have so much “Joy” along the way. Your name is so fitting
Looking forward to your next book.
August 22, 2025 @ 9:59 pm
Awe, thanks, Fran. I must admit not much writing on Finding Joy in the East has happened this summer. Hope to hit it hard this fall when I get home.
August 21, 2025 @ 5:44 pm
Awh! So sweet. You are blessed.
August 22, 2025 @ 10:01 pm
Thanks, Z. Yes. I know. So blessed.
August 21, 2025 @ 7:51 pm
I love this!!!!!
August 22, 2025 @ 10:01 pm
Thank you, Becky.
August 23, 2025 @ 9:06 am
You did such an amazing job talking to those young people. They were like miniature humans excited to ask you questions. Bravo Joy!
August 27, 2025 @ 10:57 pm
Thanks, Kathy. It was so good to have you there with me. Yes, seeing all their little hands shoot up was overwhelming. I had no idea who to call on. Still wish I could have answered ALL their questions.
August 28, 2025 @ 5:52 pm
I can’t wait to hear from the future teachers and authors that you inspired from your tour! You inspire me to to follow my dreams!
September 6, 2025 @ 3:51 am
Oh, now that really would be a DREAM COME TRUE!