In this compelling collection of original essays and poems, men and women from across North America reveal how they fulfilled cherished (some might say impossible) dreams. One woman, nine months pregnant in an apartment overlooking the Twin Towers on 9/11, writes of her immediate evacuation and the ensuing traumatic birth of her daughter; others tell of startling routes to parenthood against all odds. Heartfelt desires for true love, a real home or a challenging career (for instance, a young woman's wish to play pro football, a young man's determination to become a cartoonist) are among the hopes realized.