Nanna picked up a seed and placed it gently in the palm of Annabelle's hand.  "This," she said as she wrapped the little girl's fingers closed, "is your unicorn dream.  Pat down the soil, just like that..." Nanna smiled as the little hands mimicked hers. "We'll give it time and love and you'll see how big and beautiful your dream grows.  Just you wait..."

I'm 22-years-old now and no one calls me Annie-Girl anymore.  My dreams have moved past the child's dreams of unicorns and fairy tales.  But Nanna taught me that no matter the content, dreams are to be cherished, held close in the palm of your hand, nurtured and loved. 

I look at the dried daisy petal in my hand and think of love, of family, of hopes and dreams.  And I hear Nanna saying, "We'll give it time and love and you'll see how big and beautiful your dream grows.  Just you wait..."  

I'm waiting, Nanna.

© 2008 Ashley Lofthouse. Original for CCF  (Lofthouse grants CCF  first electronic rights for one month; CCF may archive the material indefinitely and include it in an eBook anthology).