During the summer of 1996, I had a very vivid dream. I participated for a Novato boy’s basketball team and was heavily influenced by the National Basketball Association or NBA. My friends and I would sometimes wake up early on Sunday mornings to play at Lynwood Elementary school. A dream that has influenced me to think differently would be the dream about NBA Legend Larry Bird. Larry Bird has been an idol of mine for quite some time. He had beyond the ordinary discipline, unselfish attitude, and decisive play making capabilities unlike anyone I had ever seen before. A legend is someone that will never be forgotten and who will always be remembered. Larry accomplished that and more as soon as he entered the league in 1979. Larry had the talent and the determination. I have been playing basketball since I could barely walk. My father purchased a miniature Bird hoop that was set up in the backyard. The following is my description of that one dream that has influenced me. I was on vacation with my parents in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. We were staying in a hotel very close to the Boston Garden. The Boston Garden is where Larry and the Celtics used to play all of their home games. I told my parents that I wanted to see it, so they gave me a day to do just that. As soon as I walked up to the gate, the security guard said, “Wait just to make sure I need a photo ID.” I pulled out my passport and the guard remarked, “We have been expecting you Mr. Hageman, we hope you enjoy the tour!” A tour guide walked me around the large, silent as night arena. It definitely did not resemble a garden by the name it was given. I gazed at the sky which held each and every World Championship rafter that hung from high above. There was a rack of balls in the center of half court. My brain tingled with temptation as I felt a sudden urge to aim and shoot at the basket. The security guard approved of the idea by pointing his elongated index finger towards the court with a smile. I was free to take some shots if I wished. He helped remove my jacket and watch, while I emptied my pockets of loose change. I jogged towards the wooden checkered beast, the parquet court, which had an aroma of sweet pine finishing swept through my nostrils.
As I approached mid-court, I observed the winking leprechaun which depicted the teams’ dominance and logo. I started heating up from beyond the arc. I was having so much fun that time seemed to have slipped by me. There I stood alone at the free throw line when I gazed back at the seats to find my tour guide. He was gone and I was now even more excited to play. I gazed back at the rim and bounced the ball a couple of more times. I took a deep breath, but as soon as I was about to release the ball, a loud echoing slam came from behind my shadows. It sounded as if though someone had dropped a ball on the checkered beast. I turned my head slowly to secretly observe what had just happened. There stood a 6’9” bleached white specimen with long curly golden hair. He asked with a deep voice, “Do you want to shoot around?” It was a green and white giant with warm up pants named Larry Bird. Larry and I went over many exercises and three point contests. After the games, Larry showed me his old locker and snagged a little brown box. He gently placed the box onto the palm of my hand. I gave him one last hand shake and left the Boson Garden with a smile on my face. I did not open the box until after we arrived back at the hotel room later that night.
As I lay isolated upon my bed, I tried to depict what exactly Larry’s gift was and how it should be used. It was a golden ticket to the 2011 NBA Championship game. It was weird because how could there be tickets already made in advance to a game almost ten years into the future? Ten years pass and I am sitting courtside to a Boston Celtics game with my fiancée. It was a dark and windy night in Boston. The home team was playing a successful Chicago Bulls team. It was the final Game 7 for the World Championship. The opening began and the starters were about to be introduced. The lights dimmed and the towering scoreboard ignited the room with vivacious colors and patterns. The announcer uplifted the crowd with excitement as he roared the names of the five starting Celtic players. The fifth and final player to be introduced was me! On the back of number 12’s jersey read HAGEMAN. The dream concludes with me on the shoulders of my fellow teammates and in my hands are two shiny, golden trophies, the Championship trophy and the series MVP. I woke up after that and never had this dream again.
However, my dream has led me to suspicion to what exactly the significance of this dream may have represented. It is believed that when there is a home in your dream it symbolizes your “spirit.” Well the gym is like my home in a sense. My spirit is ultimately my passion for the game of basketball. Without the game, I have absolutely no clue where or how I would be. What can I say-I love it so much! There are many symbols that I can get from this dream. I met my mythological “hero” Larry Bird. I was playing the game that I love. I was 12 years old when this dream occurred which is right in the prime when I was fascinated with the game of Basketball. I believe my dream was one of a wish fulfillment. I idolize the Bird man and respected his style of play. He was the first one to practice, and the last one to leave. This dream had a huge impact on the way I perceived the game. I built up confidence in myself and practiced almost everyday for the rest of my school career and beyond. I wanted respect every time I walked onto a court. I feel proud when my opponents tell each other to defend me tight and to not let me shoot. This dream altered my individualism concerning practice methods for the game I love. Overall, this dream was very positive and I now understand that knowledge is essential on being aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses.
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