Today’s #bloganuary daily prompt is: What’s your dream job?

When I was in second grade, my teacher announced we could all bring in a book for our school’s annual book swap. I remember being anxious because I did not understand what a “swap” was. The day of, I was nervous, sifting through the stacks, trying to find the perfect book to take home with me. Then I found it: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson.

I had never heard of the book before. I did not know the word “pageant,” but the cover illustration with a little girl dressed as an angel caught my attention. As soon as I started reading, I was drawn into the story of the Herdman siblings, who were known as the meanest kids in town. As the story unfolded, I discovered that there was more to the Herdmans than just their reputation.

The book was funny, heartwarming, and full of unexpected twists and some new vocabulary. I couldn’t stop reading and finished it in just a few days. When I put the book down, I knew that I wanted to be a writer just like Barbara Robinson and create stories that would captivate readers the way her book had charmed me. From that time on, I was hooked on reading. Not long after that I went on to read other authors like Shel Silverstein, Judy Blume, and Beverly Cleary. I cried reading The Bridge to Terabithia and I was overjoyed reading The Velveteen Rabbit.

The more I read, the more I wanted to write. I was constantly writing. I filled notebooks with short stories and even sometimes attempted my own sequels to books I would read. I was fascinated by the power of words and the ability to transport readers to different worlds. I loved English class, spelling, and vocabulary lessons. As a college student by day, at night I was writing and sending off manuscripts. Sadly, all denied, denied, denied. Eventually, I had a career as a nurse and a growing family.

As I grew up and continued to pursue writing as a hobby, I realized that The Best Christmas Pageant Ever was more than just a childhood favorite. It was a story that challenged societal stereotypes, celebrated the importance of family, and showed the transformative power of kindness. It was a story that spoke to people of all ages and left a lasting impact.

Years later, I still reread The Best Christmas Pageant Ever periodically. And each time, I am reminded of the power of words and the impact that a single book can have on a person’s life. At the time, my mom wrote my name and the year in it. The book continues to serve as a testament to the fact that one simple act, like a book swap at school, can spark a passion and shape a person’s future. Sure – I might not be a famous author, but the love of reading and writing that grew in me made a huge impact on my academics in subsequent years. My successes have in turn influenced others in positive ways.

So if you have a dream, whether it’s to be a writer or something else, hold onto it and never stop pursuing it because you never know where a simple moment or a single book can take you. Just like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever did for me, it may inspire you to create your own unique and impactful story.

My dream job? I am doing it. My dream job is to be a writer.

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