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Dreaming Dreams, Growing Up and Becoming a Man

When I was a boy I used to dream of growing up and becoming a singer on the stage in front of thousands of people. We didn’t have computers, or video games to entertain us. All we had was our imagination. My mom grew up loving Elvis. We used to hear his music all the time at home on the radio. Sometimes when I would get bored I went outside, found the old broom, and made it my “microphone” for an hour or so until I got that Elvis out of my system. Those poor neighbors.

As I grew older my older brother was really into music and played the drums. He really influenced me to pursue music and to keep on dreaming dreams. He helped me get my first guitar, which I still have today. I taught myself how to play guitar well enough to play for myself while I sang. I soon discovered that through years of singing on my own without any training I could carry a tune. My family and friends encouraged me to study music. So, I went to college and did just that.

However, somewhere along the line I lost my nerve and switched my major from music performance to music education. I reasoned that at least I might be able to get a job when I graduated from college. Singing for a living is a very competitive field and very few ever make it to the top, let alone make a living. Soon I discovered that I didn’t love teaching music, and wasn’t that good at it either. After getting married and having children, the necessity to settle down and find a stable career became very important.

Now after 15 years of being a social worker, I don’t really regret pursuing my dream of being a singer. I’m 45 years old and know that I will never be that star on the stage. Instead, I have found other ways to “make it big.” My family is the most important thing in my life, so I’ve made it my mission to be a “star” to them. I love and adore my wife and kids and take every chance I can to show them and tell them that. The song that I am writing with my life will endure for generations to come as my children pass on to their children my values and love.

Today, I have found a musical outlet in my church by singing and playing guitar with the worship team. Occasionally, I am able to sing special music at church. It is great to be able to use my musical abilities again to express myself and minister to others through music. Dreaming dreams is still ok – especially when you’re young. But, eventually you have to grow up and become a man in the process. Many famous musicians have lost their families in their pursuit of fame and glory. Others have walked away from a successful music career in order to save their family. I guess you have to ask yourself, “how much is your family worth?”

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About Rich Andrews

Rich has been married 20 years to his wife Laura. They have 4 children together, one with many special health and learning needs because of velocardiofacial syndrome. They homeschool 2 of their 4 children. Rich has been a stay-at-home dad for the past year after working in social services for 15 years. Laura works from home full time as a medical transcriptionist. Both parents have degrees in education and have done a lot of research on health- and family-related issues. The Andrews family is committed to living a healthy lifestyle, a commitment that has become more important to them than ever after Laura was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis shortly after the birth of their fourth child. Rich worked for 9 years as a Child Protective Services (CPS) Case Manager, investigating allegations of abuse and neglect. He has also served as a Guardian ad Litem for children in divorce cases involving custody and has volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for child welfare cases, representing the best interests of children in court.