006 | The Notebook of Dreams

While I wait for the seed of life to take root and grow, I’ve been spending more time exploring the town of Bremerton. Each day brings new faces, new stories, and with them, new dreams. There is something about this place—something that draws people with deep and beautiful hopes for the future, and it seems that everywhere I go, I find myself listening to someone share the dreams they hold closest to their heart.

One evening, I wandered into the Admiral Theater, a charming venue with a history that stretches back decades. The scent of freshly popped popcorn filled the air as I stepped inside, the lights dim and the soft hum of excitement surrounding me. I wasn’t there for the movie, though—it was the building’s character that had drawn me in. As I made my way toward the entrance, I struck up a conversation with the usher, an older man with a kind face and a gentle smile.

"I used to be in the Navy," he told me as we chatted. "Spent years out at sea, visiting places I never thought I’d see in my lifetime. But now, well… this theater is where I call home. And you know what? I have a dream of turning this place into something more. Maybe start a community film night, get the kids involved, bring people together. It’s a small thing, but it’s what I dream of."

I couldn’t help but smile. The passion in his voice, the way his eyes lit up when he spoke about his vision for the theater—it reminded me of how important even the smallest dreams can be.

The next day, I found myself at the Pacific Planetarium, a place that captures the wonder of the stars. It was quiet when I arrived, the sound of distant recorded voices talking about constellations filling the space. As I wandered through the exhibits, I overheard a young girl talking excitedly to her parents.

"When I grow up, I’m going to be an astronaut!" she declared, her voice full of determination. "I’m going to go to Mars and build a whole new city there. It’ll be just like Earth, but better. No pollution, no bad stuff—just people working together to explore space!"

I couldn’t help but be moved by her conviction. The dream of space exploration, of pushing the boundaries of what we know—it was the kind of dream that makes you believe anything is possible.

Later that week, I visited the Bremerton Community Farmers Market. The air was crisp with the scent of autumn, and pumpkins of every size and shape were scattered across tables, waiting to be carved into grinning jack-o’-lanterns. I joined a group of friends who were busy carving their pumpkins, their hands stained with pumpkin pulp as they laughed and shared stories.

"One day," one of them said between laughs, "we’re going to buy a big piece of land out in the woods, build ourselves a set of cabins, and live off the land. We’ll grow our own food, raise some animals, and just live a simple life. No noise, no stress—just peace and quiet."

His friends nodded in agreement, adding their own hopes and dreams for the cabins. It was a dream of simplicity, of a return to nature and a life lived in harmony with the earth.

As I listened to these stories, I realized how powerful dreams truly are. They inspire us, give us hope, and connect us to one another. It was then that an idea began to form in my mind. What if I could capture these dreams, not just in memory, but in a way that would allow others to share and be inspired by them?

That night, under the light of the moon, I reached into the fey realm and summoned a magical notebook. It was a small thing—pocket-sized and bound in soft, colorful leather, decorated with glitter and paint that shimmered like the wings of a fairy. I attached a pen to the notebook with a cord, ensuring it would always be ready for the next dreamer.

But this was no ordinary notebook. It was imbued with the power to make dreams come true. Each word written on its pages would be infused with magic, carrying the hopes and desires of those who dared to share their deepest wishes. And with each dream recorded, the notebook would grow more powerful, helping to bring those dreams into reality.

On the front of the notebook, I wrote a simple message: "What do you dream for your life? Pick a page, share your dreams, then leave this notebook to inspire others!"

The next morning, I tied the notebook to a street sign in a busy part of town, securing it with a bit of enchanted cord so it wouldn’t easily be taken. I positioned myself nearby, at a cozy tea room, where I could watch people discover the notebook and see how they interacted with it.

As I sipped my tea and waited, I saw the first person approach—a young woman who noticed the notebook and paused. She seemed hesitant at first, but then she opened it, read the note, and smiled. After a moment of thought, she picked up the pen and began to write.

I smiled to myself as I watched her. The notebook had found its purpose. It would be carried from one person to the next, gathering dreams like leaves in the wind, and perhaps, just perhaps, helping a few of those dreams come true.

For now, I continue to wander the streets of Bremerton, meeting new people and hearing their stories. But I know that the notebook will carry on without me, a little piece of magic left in the world to inspire those who are bold enough to dream.

–Jozwah