I Had a Dream
by Susan Estrich
Her name is Susan Boyle. If you haven't heard of her, you need to listen to her. Consider it my gift to you. Go to YouTube, along with the tens of millions of others who already have, and listen to the voice of an angel — a plump, unemployed, 47-year-old "spinster" (as she was described by more than one British newspaper) who lives with her cat.
Before her mother died two years ago, she used to watch Britain's version of "American Idol" with her daughter. Her ...
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Posted by: FLW
Comment: #1
Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:06 AM
Dear Susan... remember the adege one man's junk is another man's treasure? You might not believe this. I think the world of you. Not just you, Ms. Estrich... but all the other women like you. I see them often in my accounting practice... hard working... scrimping... expanding their businesses... taking chances. They don't jump up in front of any audience, give speeches or go to Proms. They are just trying their best to survive and their efforts make my community stronger and better each day.
For many, it isn't just a dream any longer. It is a world filled with challenges that they can master. Plain dresses? Sometimes. Ideal working conditions? Not necessarily. These are folks that are the new tidal way of managers creating something out of nothing and enabling others to have dreams. You know them well, Susan. All you have to do is look in the mirror and you will see a hero to many of us. You are a treasure... too.
If you still need to go to a Prom, will you go with a married man? I'll bring my wife along and will have a bunch of fun...I guarantee it!
FLW
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Posted by: Doris
Comment: #2
Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:08 PM
Susan, I have never read such a beautifully written piece. There is so much truth in what you say. You have put into words what I have felt for most of my life, but only felt, and couldn't quite verbalize it. I too, like you grew up verbally and physically abused. Needless to say, that does not do much for ones self esteem. As a teenager I was considered by many to be attractive, no drop dead beauty, but attractive. I TOTALLY lacked the confidence to join anything in school. The only thing that I excelled at was adademics. I had to prove to myself that I was good at something. During my teen years, and they can be the toughest, as many will attest to, I always related to the song "At Seventeen". I believe it was sung by Janis Ian. To this day, and I am 55 now, married with two sons aged 27 and 22, when I hear that song it still brings tears to my eyes. I was never really able to overcome the past. My self esteem is still very lacking. When I heard Susan Boyle sing, I cried. I cried at the beauty of her voice and all of her heart that I know she put into it. I cried for Susan Boyle and all of the Susan Boyle's out there, including myself. God Bless you for your beautiful thoughts and God bless Susan Boyle for representing all of the "Susan Boyle's" out there.
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Posted by: Kathaleen McCausland
Comment: #3
Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:09 PM
Off this subject. Tell you liberal friends to bring on the indictments and we will watch your buddies go down. How can they be so stupid to think this would take the heat off of what is happening with Obama. How can you support all of this when we are sitting ducks to another attack. Please write an article to share with me how what Obama and his cronies are doing is right. I want FACTS ONLY Susan. Yes, please convince me I am safe with the liberals in place. Are you so blindsighted to world events. Obama acts like life is wonderful when our country is going down the tubes. Yes, please tell the liberals I am a proud American and I resent them tearing this country down. We should be proud and not apologizing for our strengths. Oh Susan this is a disaster and my God it has only been 100 days.
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Posted by: Therren Dunham
Comment: #4
Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:48 AM
And why not? Here is a woman who doesn't have one tenth of the sucess you have and she's still out there doing it. Harland Sanders was in his late sixties before he made his mark pressure-cooking chicken. Winston Churchill held it down until he could see the end of Nazi oppression in Europe. Lincoln lost nearly every election he ran for until he won the presidency twice.
The world is full of examples of people who followed their dreams against seemingly long odds, and won. Don't feel that, even with what you have, even with what you think you've lost, you can't be one of them, too.
Be encouraged.
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Posted by: K. Wilson
Comment: #5
Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:40 PM
What a beautiful column! It made me cry. Thank you, Susan for writing it.
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Posted by: James T Crouse
Comment: #6
Thu May 7, 2009 10:19 AM
Ms. Estrich: I was deeply moved by your editorial about Susan Boyle that appeared in the Raleigh News and Observer. Unfortunately, it was the first I have read of yours, but I will be going on line to find you from here on.
I was so impressed by the column that I copied it, framed it, and put it in each of my children's rooms. May they, or their parents, never lose the power of our dreams.
Thank you.
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Posted by: BEVERLY CROOK
Comment: #7
Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:08 PM
Do you think a woman of eihty years could reach out for her dream now? All my life has been centered around being a person of no consequence. I could have been Susan Boyle forty years ago. Even if I do not reach my dream, I will hae your column to read and reread as a testamonial of what can be.
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