Nothing is more beautiful than a starry summer night. Nothing is larger than the field we used to run all over when we were kids. And nothing is more memorable than one of those moments we, or we see someone, facing up to the twinkle sky-wishing.
We all are there with the golden star in our hearts, the star we wishing to. To some people, the wish could be the job they dream about everyday. To some others it could be money, or love, or knowledge, or whatever in the world that someone intensively desires but finds it's hard to reach.
What is your wish? Will it be the happiest moment in your live when all your wishes come true? My answer was "yes, of course" until I read the book "As you wish" of Chelsea Sedoti.
The author, by her book, invited me to Madison-a small village near Las Vegas. There people live their ordinary lives, nothing is so special that a boring village in a desert could have. But, Madison people, they have privilege that can make their life the best. On their eighteen birthday, every one in Madison will be so happy to go to their wish cave, make a wish and it will be granted. Simple and easy. What else do we want more than that?
But Eldon, a 1-month-to-turn-to-eighteen Madison boy, seems not to feel that way. Wishing is easy, but wishing for the right thing is not. Because who knows what is right? People just know what they want, but what they want usually turns out not so right. Eldon's mother wished to be loved by the hottest boy in her school. It came true, they married. Look at her life now, sitting every night in their kitchen, cutting discount coupons while avoiding arguments with the husband she used to wish for. People wished for money, now have nothing, just money. Some wished for a long life didn't think about how their family, friends would leave them, pass away while they are still lingering alone.
What is Eldon wishing for? He doesn't know. His mom pushes him to wish for money so they can cure his dying sister, who actually doctors say there is no chance to survive. His dad wishes him could be team leader of Madison football team that Eldon has never liked to be. The only thing Eldon wants is his sister to come back. It will never happen because she has been moved to Las Vegas hospital right after the accident happened. The wish won't work for people outside Madison.
The more people talk about wishing, the more Eldon feels drained out. He wonders why people keep wishing and wishing. Why don't they start to do somethings real? And, ultimately, why do we have to hang on only one moment to be happy and dwell on it for the rest of our life? To Eldon, wishing becomes torturing. He looks around Madison. Are they all happy?
Finally, Eldon comes up with an idea-the wish that makes him become worst...or the best of him.
Well, I don't want to spoil the story in case you are interested in "As you wish". Also, the book is not the main idea I want to express. Consider myself as a person who has lots of wishes, I often imagine or day dream about the moment all my wish come true, no need to say how joyful I will be. Then, as often, I come back to the reality, feeling life is harder. Sour!
Maybe I should learn to think in a new way. Maybe I should ask less about what if my wishes come true, instead, start to think what if none of my wishes comes true.
Will it make my life sweeter?