This is one of those personal stories that feels small and silly, but it holds the entire weight of my life. It’s about a $5 Thrift Store Goose, a childhood dream, and the powerful symbol of the American dream that, for me, was never about a house or a car—it was about a ceramic lawn ornament.
It all starts with my mom. She was an immigrant who raised three kids on her own by cleaning houses. Her life was a testament to hard work and sacrifice, and I often went with her to her jobs. One of her clients, a kind older woman, had something on her porch that I became obsessed with: a ceramic goose that wore little, interchangeable outfits.
A Symbol of a Different Life
I was mesmerized. That goose had an outfit for every holiday: an Easter bonnet, a Santa hat, a little yellow raincoat. Every time we were there, I’d get to help dress it. To me, that goose represented everything my life wasn’t. It was whimsical, stable, and joyful. It was a symbol of having a home, a porch, and the kind of life where you had the time and money to dress up a fake bird.
I told myself, “One day, when I’ve ‘made it,’ I’m going to have a porch goose, too.”
The 20-Year Hunt
Fast-forward a couple of decades. Life took me to new cities and new jobs. But that small, specific dream of the goose never faded. It became my quiet, secret mission. Every time I walked into a thrift store, I’d scan the aisles, hoping to find my long-lost symbol of stability.
Then, today, it happened. I was in a Salvation Army in Waco, Texas. I wandered past the 4th of July display… and there he was.
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“Gary Goose, My $5 Dream”
My $5 Thrift Store Goose. I literally squealed and ran over to him like I’d found treasure. He was tall, proud, and—I’m not kidding—wearing a tiny patriotic vest for the 4th of July. The price tag said $24.99, but a sign above him read “50% off.”
I carried him to the register, my heart pounding. The cashier, clearly amused by my excitement, just smiled and said, “You know what? Let’s just call it five bucks.”
Five dollars. For a dream I’ve held onto for decades.
More Than Just a Decoration
As I loaded him into my car, I couldn’t stop laughing. His name is Gary Goose, and he’s now standing proudly on my front step. He’s more than just a quirky decoration; he’s a symbol of love and a full-circle moment. He’s a tangible reminder of my mom’s stories and her sacrifices. He represents how far our family has come—from a little girl watching her immigrant mother scrub floors, to a woman who can buy the very symbol of the life she once thought was only for “real Americans.”
Sometimes, the American dream isn’t a white picket fence or a fancy car. Sometimes, it’s a $5 Thrift Store Goose with a small chip in his wing, who reminds you that you finally made it home.
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