Michael Goforth: I had a dream of a better future for the children of Florida

As I lay down to sleep, the storm rumbled. Wind howled through the palm trees and whistled through the vents to the outdoors. The sky flashed with bursts of lightning that cracked like the sound of whips. Torrents of rain pounded the windows. The heavens raged.

Slowly, I drifted into peaceful sleep. And, I dreamed.

I dreamed of children by the hundreds and by the thousands. I saw them in a green meadow with a blue sky overhead and soft white clouds. A rainbow of children in colors of pink and white and yellow and brown and black. I saw children happy and healthy. I dreamed of children whose parents have access to health care they can afford and who see that their precious children have whatever medical care they need when they are injured — and children do get injured — and when they are sick — as children do get sick.

I saw children protected from the hazards of their young lives and whose parents have willingly and eagerly been taught how to be the best parents they can possibly be. I saw a community that wants the parents to be the best they can be and will help them in that challenge.

I saw children who came from homes in which they are loved and from a place on Earth where they are cherished and protected.

I thought of my friend Ada Coats Williams and what she has told me many times. "I've never seen a child I could not love," she would say.

But, how do we show that love for children we don't know, who need the love we have to offer?

I dreamed of children in a cheerful day care center, smiling and laughing. I saw them eagerly being taught their numbers and their alphabet, their inquisitive minds taking in music and art and science, learning about the world around them and how to be a part of that world as they were being prepared for kindergarten. I saw their faces light up and their eyes fill with wonder and with joy as their dedicated, passionate, highly-trained teachers guided them along a path toward new knowledge. I saw how young minds were being opened to endless possibilities.

I dreamed of children in elementary school as they sat with adult mentors, helping them with their math and with their reading. I saw the bonds being formed between the generations and the affections they shared. I saw the children excited as they gained new knowledge and began to piece together the puzzles that make up the landscape of education. I saw their pride in grasping new information with their small hands and holding on as they would a treasured Christmas present.

I dreamed of children in later grades, where dedicated teachers guided them even farther in their quest for understanding and their love of learning. I saw teachers respected and appreciated for all they do in giving of themselves to the children who have come under their care and their skill. I saw teachers proud of themselves and their students and their schools and their community. I saw teachers proud of their calling. I saw a community proud of its teachers.

I saw children growing into adults and taking their places in the world, building a better world for their parents and for their own children. I saw the process begin again as a new generation began to experience the benefits and the opportunities of the generation that came before.

I saw what could be.

And, then I awoke with a start. I was returned to the real world.

A storm still rages. A political storm rages in Florida over how we treat our children, how we protect their health and safety, how we give them the tools for learning, how we educate them to take our places in the world that is left to them.

Too often, our children are shortchanged by our politicians and our policies.

The Children's Movement of Florida is trying to reverse that course and make my dreams and those of many others a little closer to becoming reality.

Learn more and get involved at childrensmovementflorida.org.

Follow Michael Goforth's blog at TCPalm.com/goforth. Contact him at 772-409-1332 or michael.goforth@scripps.com.

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