More often than not the anticipation leading to an event is equally as fun as the event itself.   As a family, we love to anticipate what adventures are ahead of us.  We think about, plan, and dream about what might occur at the actual event.  I love that my girls find joy in thinking about what might happen, and are able to dream about different possible outcomes.

Not only does it enhance the imagination, I believe it strengthens our overall ability to enjoy the event.  As a family, we talk about various places we would like to go and think about what it is that we would want to see while we are there.  Sometimes we actually go to the event and other times we just dream about the possibility of going to the event.

One of those places we dream about and anticipate traveling to in the future is Italy.  Visiting the city where their father grew up and meeting various relatives.  The girls have the entire trip itinerary planned out and the year that we anticipate traveling.  I am not about to discourage them from the excitement and anticipation of planning a trip to Italy.  It is a dream that has possibilities and is fun for our family to anticipate.

We are a family that enjoys soccer.  We talk about traveling to attend a World Cup.  Is it a possibility? Yes.  Is it likely? No.  The planning and anticipation involved in this dream have been fun for our family.  We enjoy adding to the plans, reworking the plan, and laughing at some of the crazy things we want to do when we are at the event.

As an adult, I know that our view of the World Cup is much better from the television in our living room.  However, who am I to crush all the anticipation and dreams involved in the possibility of attending?  Who knows, you may just see us on the big screen!

We do get into trouble if our expectations are too high.  I am very careful not to confuse unrealistic expectations with the excitement that anticipation can bring.  I listen to their dreams, we laugh about the aspects that are “out of our current means” and build on the aspects that have the possibility.

“Never” is rarely in my vocabulary, but many grand plans have been adjusted to more realistic possibilities.  My philosophy is not to crush any dreams so long as we understand how to adapt our expectations as we move through life.  Prayer and faith have been the cornerstone of my ability to dream big and at the same time maintain realistic expectations that allow me to enjoy anticipation and all the possibilities that it brings.

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