what they don't tell you about the american dream

....is that sometimes you can work really hard and graduate with honors and devote yourself to your profession and then all of your hard work might pay off because you might get a teaching job in a location where there are literally thousandS of applicants per opening

and then you can pour your time, money, and energy into it because it is so meaningful and important to you and you know that it is your very purpose to be there and you know that this opportunity won't always come around

but then sometimes after all of that you might find yourself in a situation where you can't work anymore because you might get very sick and what will ultimately make you better might make you even more sick

but at least on the VERY bad days, you can imagine yourself healthy and back to doing what you love and it that might help keep you motivated by giving you a reason to get better

but the world moves on even when you can't and other people who are fine will move on without you, gaining time in the field when you are unable to

and then you might get a letter in the mail

and you might try to be positive, but all you will be able to think about is how unfair it is-how it feels like your dream was stolen from you by someone without a brain tumor....but it's not anyone's fault in particular ("just" life)

and then you can just hope for the best. because that's all you've been able to do for 3 years.

and then you can write a song.

http://soundcloud.com/tlipps/patiences-lament-reese (original)
http://soundcloud.com/tlipps/patients-lament-tim-remix (remix)