Dream Chasing: Oprah and Michelle Obama

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” - Paulo Coelho The Alchemist

I remember reading The Alchemist years ago and coming across that line. I felt this tinge of excitement because I believe every last word of it. I believe that passion, joy, wonder, and sheer magic are present when we look up and allow ourselves to open up to the possibility of those being there. It’s vulnerable though, so many often brush it aside as pie in the sky dreams masked as childish desires. You have to stand up and open up your heart to the world. You have to believe.

So here I am putting my desire out into the universe hoping it conspires with me. As crazy as it will sound, I believe.

One of my closest friends and I are going to see Michelle Obama on the first night of her Becoming book tour on November 13th with Oprah Winfrey serving as the guest moderator. These two women have fundamentally changed my life and inspired me to be more and do more, and I want more than anything to be able to go backstage and meet them with my friend.

Now that I’ve put this out into the universe, I feel it’s important to explain the “why.”

Of the many things I have already said I believe in, I also believe deeply in the power of a genuine “Thank you.” While society may push the need for independence, it’s hard to argue that we were never truly meant to go through life alone. Relationships--of any kind--sustain us, fill us with love and courage, carry us through hard times, and provide endless inspiration.

My life has been shaped and emboldened by many, and I find it imperative to honor those impacts whenever I can. The people around me can vouch for their many cards, texts, hugs, etc. Oprah and Michelle Obama, unfortunately, are not on my daily Thank You Tour, yet these two women have given me such hope, strength, and inspiration.

I am an Oprah Baby. I was born the year her talk show debuted, so my whole life has been blessed with Oprah at the center of popular culture, often steering the ship of self empowerment and compassion. I took to that as a young girl and have stuck with her ever since. From Oprah, I have learned the power of giving back and making an effort to better the world around me. My students have seen and felt that love and appreciation for Oprah so many times that they even made me a life-size cardboard cutout of her, which is a permanent fixture in my classroom.

My students always ask me what I would do if I met Oprah. They are torn between instant tears or an awkwardly long hug, but I have assured them that I would play it cool [Disclaimer: I know that playing it cool has never been a thing for me, so I will shoot for awkwardly charming]. My dream is to have a chance to see, and I am hoping November 13th gives me that.

As far as Michelle Obama, I didn’t grow up with her as my First Lady, but I grew into who I was with her in the White House. My 20s were the years when I entered as what everyone wanted to me to be but left as who I knew I was. I stopped using my voice as an echo and playing small, and there was little greater than having someone like Michelle Obama to watch live this. The former First Lady stood her sacred ground and was always true to herself and what she believed in, even if she was battered with hateful comments and constant judgment. She, while in the White House and still today, is an intelligent, strong, and graceful reminder to all girls that we are valuable and deserve a seat at the table. My proverbial Thank You Tour needs a stop for her.

So here I am. I’ll toss it out to the universe hoping the right person(s) sees this. Maybe someone knows my heroes, someone connected to them, or someone who works the event at the United Center who could let the two of us come back for that long overdue “Thank you” I’ve been wanting to give. We will never know unless we try.

If it doesn’t happen, it will not take away the pure joy I will feel during the event regardless. Seeing two of my ultimate heroes with such an important friend will be something I remember for the rest of my life.

There have been many moments when I have thrown my deep desires out to the universe. That coupled with tireless work have worked in my favor many times. There are those moments, and then there is this one: a beautiful chance to experience a moment so perfect and so deeply intertwined in my heart.

I believe.

With so much love and hope,

EP