Life is precious, enjoy every moment!
It had to be about 20 years ago. My children were still very young and we found a special, rustic little Italian restaurant simply called Budini’s.
Mr. Budini had to be 80 something at that time and still took the orders, cooked the authentic Italian food and then, personally served it! After service he would take down a beautiful, hand made violin that he had personally crafted and would serenade us with rich Italian classics… The violin music was wonderful, Mr. Budini’s voice… not so much. We loved every note, laughed and cherished every wonderful rare moment and all of the unique experiences he provide for my young children and me.
Turns out Mr. Budini was a friend of my late Grandpa Joe, who died when I was very young. Budini had a very special message for me and my 2 children each and every time we stopped for dinner. Although he was obviously as sharp minded as ever, Mr. Budini would repeat my Grandpa Joe’s special words over and over again, as if he had never spoken them to me before on any of our previous visits.
He’d say “Wander,” (that’s me) “our Grandpa always told me ‘BE A DREAMER!'” And then, Budini would remind me each and every time that he had lived his life by my Grandpa Joe’s words and that I would be wise and happy if I did the same.
Fast forward 20+ years!
Just recently, over 2 decades later, I heard the echo of Mr. Budini, and in it, my Grandpa Joe’s message ringing in my mind. SmileMonster represented the manifestation of my DREAMS for a kinder, happier, better community, society, world. I have finally begun to actually live my dreams. Mr. Budini and my Grandpa Joe were absolutely right. I only wish I had listened and understood sooner. But finally, here I was living the dream.
Go ahead… Live your dreams. Live and be whatever you truly wish to be. Grandpa was absolutely right.
I am smiling more now than ever before and enjoying the realization of a wonderful dream. It is never too late to SMILE. Simply “Be A Dreamer!”
SM
Really nice entry. Loved reading it.