The simplest of things can reveal the deepest of truths. In a world where we grow to become professionals in our respective fields, known for our wits and professionalism, we forget the childlike wonder we once had, not out of desire—but out of necessity to grow into the mold the world has created for us. Surrounded by darker—deeper shades, in the center lies an innocent, bright drawing, sketched by small hands within the lines of a piece of paper, holds a dream we all drew.
At first glance, the illustration feels similar—nostalgic, even. A simple house under the bright sun, blooming flowers surrounding the home, with a happy family standing hand in hand. It mirrors drawings we would scribble in the backs of notebooks, crumpled papers, and torn magazines, when happiness was simple, when it felt like second to breathing, when home felt like a warm embrace, safe—secure.
Behind the illustration is Bea Mikylla Ison, a 4th Year Business Administration, majoring in Marketing Management, a student whose interest in art has always been a quiet refuge. She had created The Dream We All Drew during period of sadness, expressing her feelings on a canvas, reminiscing the childlike joy she once had, the warmth the people around her had made her felt. In revisiting a piece of her childhood, she found not only nostalgia, but reassurance. Through this piece she created at a sad, dark time, she hoped to acknowledge not only her gratitude for the home she grew up in, but also offer a gentle light to others who may be navigating their own storms.
In the end, the drawing is more than a memory of childhood—it is a reminder that the dream of warmth, safety, and belonging is one we never truly stop carrying.