A Few Select Items
“What’s wrong in exchanging an impossible dream for a possible one?” --Rohinton Mistry, A FINE BALANCE I received an artsy postcard invitation to the FALL 1997 TODD OLDHAM Fashion Trunk Show at his store on Beverly Boulevard. Todd is an American fashion designer born in 1961. He is two years younger than I and I’m taken with some of his cool clothes. Alan and I attended. It was held from 4pm to 7pm on May 3rd. Afterwards, we went to dinner at a cool Italian Ristorante.
I wrote mom a card in anticipation of May 11th, Mother’s Day. The Hallmark card I used was like a painting of rowboats somewhere in Italy--at least that's what I imagined to be the place.
You are The Number One Mom!
I love you so, so much.
I enjoy being with you and talking to you.
I can’t wait for our trip to New Mexico.
Even if I’m not there on Mom’s Day—I owe you a special dinner in Santa Fe, ok?
Stay as sweet as you always are.
Here are a few select items I picked especially for you, Mom.
Love,
Michael Joe Armijo
P.S. Use them; they’re not décor items!
5-5-97
Dear Michael,
I bought a tape of a class I attended at the writer’s conference two years ago. Imagine my surprise when I found the dream song was on the other side. I thought you would like a copy of it. I wrote the words to the song as well as I could remember them. The tape wasn’t clear to begin with. It’s the best I could do.
I made a batch of cookies for Staci’s care package and decided you might enjoy some, too. It means you are important to me, that you are special, that I care about you. I always bake for my best friends and the family members that I love. I know, you’re a guy and don’t want to make you uncomfortable with mushy stuff. I hope I didn’t. I accept you into my special circle, Michael.
I wanted you to have a copy of the song because when I shared my experience of the conference with you, I think we became more than cousins that day. We became friends.
MaryAnn
I finally found the song she wrote about. The lyrics are by Ed Robertson, and it seems to be sung by a lot of school choir groups that creates an uplifting feeling. I found a few renditions on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8ko1R4KKWN4
DREAM A DREAM
Dream a dream of a new tomorrow when our dreams go well together hand in hand
Dare to hope for a peaceful morning when we dare to walk together hand in hand
If we all will dare to dream dreams of a new and brighter day
If we yearn to make them come true, we will surely find a way
Dream a dream, dare to hope, maybe we can make it better
Dream of a new tomorrow maybe someday we can see our dreams come true
Dream a dream of a world united when the nations choose to lay their weapons down
Dare to hope of a day of promise when we learn to let a smile replace a frown
If we all will dare to dream dreams of a new and brighter day
If we yearn to make them come true, we will surely find a way
Drema a dream, dare to hope, maybe we can make it better
Dream of a new tomorrow, maybe someday we can see our dreams come true.
I began to want my typewriter again. I began to want to put words on paper again. To make another beginning. To say something and see if it was the right thing. --William Saroyan, in his short story, MYSELF UPON THE EARTH
