Book of Dreams

Book of Dreams

It was an ordinary day just like any other. The crisp air fell in delicate swirls around the girl’s body, enveloping her in a frosty embrace. Her hair was held fast in tight red ribbons, her eyelashes decorated with tiny snowflakes. Oksana had been waiting patiently for the community bus to take her to class.

She had to work many evenings by the river, catching fish in frigid waters. She would clean them by the fire one after another so they would be ready for her father Alecsi to bring to town to sell the following day. Her family was very poor, and more often then not they would have to go without even the necessities. Oksana worked alone while her father would care for her mother, Sonya. Sonya had lost both her arms from the elbow down in a tragic work accident at a lumber mill. Oksana missed the way her mom would play with her and pick her up when she was little. She missed when she would help her with projects and braid her hair as she grew up. But most of all, she missed when her mom would hug her and hold her close. Oksana tried her best to concentrate on the tasks before her, taking each day at a time. With each new morning, the girl would have to rise early, put on six layers of clothes and wait up to an hour in the arctic wind for her bus to arrive. To Oksana though, it was worth it. She wanted to continue to learn so that one day she could venture forth and bring all of her greatest dreams to fruition. The highlight of her day was greeting Olav, the community bus driver. He cared deeply for the children he kept safe and transported to and from school. If anything would happen, Olav would immediately notify the families and the schools. He was a kind, trustworthy person. He always greeted the passengers with a friendly welcome. He found it was mostly the little children that would greet him. Most of the teenagers were either oblivious or ignored him as they quickly stepped on and brushed past. But not Oksana.

“Good morning Olav!” She would say. “I like the song you’re playing. It’s one of my favourites! I hope you are keeping well.”

He would tip his hat and reply warmly. Most people there would not acknowledge a bus driver because they did not feel it was not a prestigious enough position. Olav would smile gently as he would observe how Oksana would talk to and help out everyone, even those who seemed to be ignored by others. On one particular day, Olav’s bus had broken down. Oksana had to wait for much longer than usual in the unforgiving cold. The students griped about the long wait and were annoyed with Olav. Oksana rushed on the bus. “Olav, I’m glad you came! Thank you for fixing the bus! We are happy you are alright.”

He smiled gently. “There is a seat here Oksana.”

"Thank you." Oksana replied happily as she perched down next to the driver. It felt good to sit next to the warm air coming out of the vents. The warmth was a luxury where she lived. Eventually, they all arrived at the destination. As she was exiting, Olav placed a small black book into her hand.

“I would like to give you something. Once upon a time, someone gave this to me. They said to give it to someone with a good heart that will make the world a better place. You are a kind person, you care for the welfare of others and you appreciate everything that surrounds you. Believe in yourself, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

“Thank you, I will take good care of it.”

Oksana politely exited, wondering what he could have meant. She kept the book hidden in her pocket until she arrived at her house that evening. During that day she couldn’t stop thinking about the book. Now, in the candlelight of her bedroom, she gently unfastened the soft elastic that held the book closed and carefully opened it as her fingers grazed the smooth quality cover. When she opened it, the inside page read: “In case of loss, please return to” with three smooth lines underneath.

She took a breath, then gracefully scrolled Oksana Venyakoff with her ballpoint pen. All of a sudden there was an illumination, and the writing turned a golden colour. She felt her heart rush within her. What was happening? She turned to the back pocket. She pulled out an accordion booklet with instructions in multiple languages. “Write what you wish for, I do not understand the word no. Though your fear may be big, let your faith be bigger.”

She thought for a moment. She carefully drew the tip of the ballpoint pen to the paper. “I wish for my mother to have arms so we can hold each other close again.”

The writing turned colour magically once more and then what appeared to be shavings of glitter fell from between the pages. “How peculiar”. The girl thought to herself. She carefully placed the attached woven bookmark on the current page of her little black notebook.

She waited. And waited. And waited some more. One week later, Oksana was in her bed one unusually cold morning. A crisp chill filled the air, even inside the cabin. She pulled the covers around her to get warm. Suddenly, her father came rushing into her room, practically leaping onto the bed.

“Papa, aren’t you supposed to be at work today?” The girl asked.

“Yes my daughter, but look! I have to show you this! An unaddressed cheque arrived in the mail. $20,000! Mom can finally have the medical procedure she needs! There is also a note inside. It says: "May you have an eternity of hugs."

Oksana felt a shiver go through her. “Who could have done this?”

“I don’t know, my daughter. One thing is for sure. We've witnessed a spectacular miracle here today. Mom is going to be so happy with the news. Some of the people I work with know a very good surgeon who will be able to give her the arms that she needs! At long last!”

“That is most excellent, father.” Tears began to fall as Oksana thought of her mom being wonderfully restored and the warmth of her calm embrace. If anyone deserved to be happy, it was her mom. Sonya radiated light and warmth wherever she went.

That same day, a thought crossed the girl’s mind. She took a breath as she gently slid the little black book out of her pocket with trembling fingers. She lit a candle and opened it carefully. With her heart overflowing with gratitude, she put her pen to the paper once more. “I would very much like to meet the person who made this book.”

The book flashed with a great light. All of a sudden, she could see herself being brought to a different place, but she was not the same, for she was older.

A handsome gentleman appeared before her. He appeared to be the same age. He smiled at her. “Oksana, there you are! We at the factory have been looking everywhere for you.”

“How do you know my name?”

He laughed cheerily and put his arm around her.“Everyone here knows your name. With each new day, we write our story and what happens to us.”

“I want to thank you for what you have done. It means so much to me and my family.”

“That is what you said the first time we met. You truly understand the value of what is being done here and this is why I made the choice to have you come and work at my factory.”

“Did I ever tell you about the bus driver from back home who gave me the book?”

“Ah yes.” He remembered. “Olav. Kind fellow. I gave him the book one evening as a token of my appreciation. I said he could either keep it or give it to someone else with a good heart. I had been trying to make a delivery to a remote area of the city when a severe storm had left me stranded. He seen me and offered to take me to where I needed to go. That is the thing about kindness. It forms a beautiful tapestry. One action impacts another, which impacts another. We never know what good can come from one small act of kindness. Come, we have many more books to be prepared and delivered. You must come to quality control right away."

He took her by the hand. He was warm and kind. Was this man her future love? Only time would tell. He led her into a beautiful Italian building. She could see many different books being artfully crafted, all of varying colours and sizes. As she made her way to quality inspection, workers passing by would happily greet her. As she worked amidst everyone, her calling spoke to her with increasing loudness. It flooded her senses with overwhelming clarity. So this was to be her purpose. To help others to believe in the reality of their dreams.

“Oksana...Oksana...” A woman’s voice in the distance was calling her away. Everyone’s faces around her began to fade in and out. Was she dreaming?

The girl mumbled as she awoke from dizzy slumber.

“Wake up my dear!” Her mother urged. “We must get ready. Your father is taking us to town for the consultation. There is a surgeon who would very much like to meet us.”

“ That’s so incredibly wonderful mom.” The girl rose slowly, her mind still fresh with the memory. She hastened to get ready. She couldn’t help playing the enchanting scene over and over again in her mind. Everything had felt so real. Was it really just a dream? Or had she somehow managed to see a glimpse into the beautiful future set before her?

As the girl walked out of her bedroom, she tucked the little black book into her pocket. Oksana did not know what would happen next. One thing was certain. She now had a purpose. Each day she would give people the strength to believe in their dreams, the way the little black book and the kindness of others had helped her to believe in her own.