Many moons ago I learned to play the clarinet. It’s not a bad instrument. It’s great for jazz. But I wasn’t into jazz at that point in time. Plus, I was asthmatic. Blowing into the clarinet left me winded. What had I been thinking? I played it for three years. That was fine enough. I then took up the piano. That didn’t take either. I once played a whole piece backwards. Yes, I did and please don’t ask how it is that I accomplished such a feat. It was mighty impressive. While I was musically oriented, instruments required too much hand coordination. I walk straight into walls. I’m not quite coordinated. I’m not too distressed by that.

In the last few years, I received a guitar as a gift. It’s still in its case and will be passed on to my son. I love the idea of playing. But my body and it’s organs have other ideas.

I was thinking about my lack of coordination as I exercised. I was just on the elliptical when a calm, soothing, sickly sweet song came on. I had no idea I had downloaded such a song. It didn’t rev me up on the machine but it transported me to a sweet psychological spot.  I dreamt of Hawaii my happy place. I dreamt of all the dreams I have had and heard others share.

Not to sound trite but I’m always amazed by the sheer number of dreams we have had and will have. I’m also saddened by those that don’t have many. Both lovely dreams at night and dreams of grand futures.

While exercising I kept hearing a ukelele. Somehow, I was listening to “Somewhere over the  Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.   And I kept thinking of me, my mom and my son and how we pass on resiliency, love and hope.  My son truly believes he will be mayor someday of some city. And I want that to happen the same way my mom dreamt big dreams for me.

And the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby / Somewhere over the rainbow blue birds fly / And the dreams that you dream of, dreams really do come true

In that moment on the elliptical, I had wished I had a ukelele so that I could play along and be totally cheesy, corny and hopeful.  So much pain all around me these days but a ukelele could bring some sweet joy. If only for a few minutes. Just as that song finished playing on my iPod, Justin Timberlake’s Cry me a River came on. And no, that wasn’t a happy song of his…