I have had many ambitions as a teenager--to be an astronaut, an architect, or a TV producer. Strayed from my original aspirations, I became a photojournalist. My personal experience leaves me wonder: did people over the age of 65 achieve the dreams they had when they were young? Sweet Dreams explores the relationship between individual dreams and the social and economic circumstances that made or broke them.
Glenn Hazen always wanted to be a farmer as a child. At 16, Hazen read an article on Forbes Magazine claiming that farmers did not make much money. He then went on for higher education and became an engineer, later, a teacher. Now at age 80 and retired, Hazen bought a piece of land in Amesville, Ohio and spent most of his time on the farm. "I have done many things in my life, but I love farming the most."
Suzanne Howell has never had a plan for her life. "I just take whatever life gives me. I love the flexibility of my schedule." Followed her family expectations, she got married and had two sons while in college. Growing up in a double income family, Howell did not want to be a parent who had no spare time for children. She has been a stay-at-home mom for most of her adult life.
Ellen Peterson never had a second thought when it comes to helping people. Under the influence of her mother, who was not able to attend medical school at the time, Peterson dreamt of being a nurse and completed her medical training. "We did not get paid much back then. But I was happy to be able to help people for 40 years as a nurse."
Marvin Shamhart wanted to be a baseball coach when he graduated from High school. However, he was drafted inevitably to battle in the Vietnam War in 1967. "That war changed everything, every plan," says Shamhart. "They trained us to kill people. That's what you do there." After Shamhart came back to the States, he worked for multiple telephone companies to fix wires and poles. Now retired, he coaches his great-grandson baseball from now and then.
Bob Garbo dreamt of being a priest since he was a child. Firmly believed in his career ambition, Garbo finished a master's degree in theology. The Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement changed his perspective of injustice, poverty and faith in the church. He joined a group of young people on a bus to Washington, D.C. to protest the Vietnam War. Since then, Garbo was actively involved in community work, helping build affordable housing, school, and basic infrastructure in regions that suffered from economic disadvantages. Now Garbo is hoping to initiate a fundraiser to make a handicap ramp at Burr Oak Park in Glouster, Ohio.
Helen King dreamt of being an actor and studied theatre in college. However, she quit shortly after. "I found myself lacked both the talent and dedication for an acting career." King later discovered a passion for working with children as a librarian. Now 73, King still actively involves in the local libraries as a volunteer.