Follow That Dream

My Uncle is still hanging in there but he is on life support. The doctors have indicated that soon my two Aunts – Jo and Bridie – will have to make the decision as to whether or not to turn the life support machine off.

It is one of those gut-wrenching decisions no one ever wants to have to make. It is a decision you hope never pertains to someone you know.

This week I have thought about my Uncle Sean a lot. And how he always wanted to go to California. He dreamed of driving up and down the California coast in an American car – maybe a Corvette – and breathing in all the sights he had seen in the movies and read about in books.

I’m California Dreaming, he would say. Just like the song.

Now it seems that my Uncle Sean will never get to California. That saddens me. I know what it’s like when dreams remain elusive.

In the comments of the last post I said to Karen that you’ve got to chase your dreams really hard. My Uncle Sean used to say that too. Wishing for dreams isn’t enough – you’ve got to do what you have to so they will happen. And don’t stop trying.

Don’t ever stop trying.

The photo above is of the path that leads up to the grounds of Sydney University. The girl walking away has just graduated. She will be pursuing a career in Law. She was full of hope for the future. It struck me as I saw her walking along that pathway that she was following her dream; that the path that led to the university also led away from it – right out into the big, wide world.

It also struck me that taking the path that allows you to follow your dream is scary, but it’s a necessary kind of scary. Following dreams is scary business. But not as scary as not following them.

We all have dreams.

All of us.

I want you to promise me something.

Please.

Please continue to follow your dreams. To chase them.

I want you to know that the hard work will be worth it.

I want you to know that even though some people in your life might think that your dreams are a waste of time and kind of want you to fail, that you can succeed and I don’t think any kind of dream is a waste.

It’s just like Elvis said :

I’m gonna follow that dream wherever that dream may lead

You’ll go down unfamiliar paths. You’ll most likely be afraid and unsure. But the rewards will be worth the effort.

So please, please, please keep on trying.

And who knows – one day we all just might make it to California.

24 thoughts on “Follow That Dream”

  1. I’m so sorry about Uncle Sean, but you know what? If what he said, or did (or didn’t do) inspires someone to follow their dream, then I believe he’ll make it to the California of his dreams. He’ll drive that snazzy red Corvette up and down the coast. Maybe he and Elvis will take a tour of Los Angeles together.

    He’ll watch those he inspired get to our own “California” and he’ll be pleased.

    And when we all get to California, we’re gonna have one hell of a party in Uncle Sean’s honor!

    Here’s to Uncle Sean. May the highway always be wide open, the gas tank always be full, and the weather be “top down” perfect for a long drive down Highway 101.

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  2. I’m sorry about the hard decisions ahead… not easy specially when you’re so very far away.

    You know what they don’t say, that chasing your dreams is exciting but, if you’re like me, it’s really fucking scary.

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  3. Hey, dreams!

    You’d think, as time goes on, your ‘life list’ will get shorter. It doesn’t … it gets longer!

    Still to do:
    Visit India; learn to snorkel; see a cassowary in the wild; climb Mount Everest (if I did, I’d beat Dick Bass’s record of being the oldest man to do so); drive at Monza; fly in an airship; learn to make a carbonara sauce that doesn’t look like someone threw up on the pasta; write a bestseller.

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  5. Selma, I really needed that reminder to keep chasing my dreams, no matter how scary they may be. And, that life is just way too short. And, if i don’t chase my dreams now – I may never be able to . So thank you. xoxoxox

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  6. One of the best advice I ever heard was the line, “My brothers work hard and they play hard.” (Thank you Audra Barkley of the Big Valley!!) Plan, save, work, and focus on your dreams, but be sure to take time to LIVE them too!

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  7. I’ve been to California, it is a magical place. I’m sorry for your uncle and for all of us really that have dreams that don’t come true, for whatever reason. Thank you Sel for this reminder. We NEED to give dreams the attention they deserve. We all are on borrowed time. Any day could be the last. I have so many dreams that I still hope come true. I’m going to spend some time this week, dwelling on what I should be/can be doing different to make at least some of them a possibility. Thanks friend and hugs. Again, I am so sorry about your uncle. Take care.

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  8. Thanks for the pep talk Selma 🙂 good to hear those words or to be reminded – it is very important. So sorry to hear about your uncle. That must be such a hard decisionn for your aunties.

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  10. I.m sorry to hear your uncle isn’t doing as well as hoped. Alothough my dad recovered from both diabetic comas, he passed away a few years later. It was horrible when we had to make the decision to take my mom off life support 13 years ago and I’m glad we didn’t have to make that decision with my dad. Ultimately he died from COPD.

    It is sad that life gets us caught up and we forget how to dream.

    My thoughts are with you Selma during this horribly trying time.
    xo

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  11. You took a personal tragedy and made it a positive. I think your uncle would be honoured you did so. You gave me much to think about pal. xoxo

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  12. I’m so sorry to hear about your uncle, that’s a tough decision which has to be made.

    Following our dreams is so important and this was a great reminder. Even if your uncle didn’t get to California he might have inspired someone else to go out and chase their dreams. Not a bad legacy.

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  13. I’m so sorry to read about your Uncle Sean. it sounds like he made an impact on many young hearts…. to pursue a dream. He may not have been able to pursue his own dream of driving the coast of California, he had the capacity to plant dreams seeds in the hearts and minds of his family.

    Life has the ability to shift us into cross winds so frequently that more often than not we get off course…….. and slip far away from our personal dreams. Let us always remind one another to be aware of those times in order to re-establish the foundation of our dreams.

    love and spirits to guide……. xx

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  14. We should be able to follow our dreams. One of my biggest dreams is to visit Canada one day and live atleast for a couple of months in that gorgeous country. Watch a few live NHL games, attend a few concerts by my fav Canadian musical artists and tour cities like Montreal, Vancouver, Halifax, Ottawa & Calgary. That would be so awesome for me personally. I can almost see myself in an NHL jersey in the stands drinking a cold beer and yelling for a goal.

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  15. Just stopping in to see if there’s a new comment or post from you here Sel. Hope you are doing ok and take care, lots of hugs and good wishes sent your way.

    PS: I just read Karen’s comment above. Sounds like a GREAT plan. 🙂

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  16. I promise you, Selma, I will continue to follow my dreams. The only catch is that you have to promise me you will do the same. And Uncle Sean, I promise you I will drive the California coast someday — it’s one of my dreams, too — and breathe in all the sights there are to see.

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  18. Hi KAREN:
    Your comment made me feel so good. Uncle Sean is still hanging in there. He is stable but not really improving. To think of him riding up and down the California coast with Elvis? That has really tickled me. You are the best XXX

    Hi NAT:
    It sure is scary to chase those dreams. Believe me, I know. We make up all sorts of excuses not to do it, don’t we? I know you can make your dreams come true, Nat. You are very, very capable. Go for it!!

    HI TRAVELRAT:
    I really admire you. You are motivated and enthusiastic. You inspire me to take a leaf out of your book. Thank you.

    Hi IAIN:
    Thank you for the wonderful song. It has really cheered me up 😀

    Hi MELEAH:
    Keep chasing those dreams. I know you can do whatever it is you want to do. You have so much going for you. Don’t give up!

    Hi AINE:
    Yes yes YES. That is the crucial point. Live those dreams, baby. All the way!!!

    Hi GERALDINE:
    I am so glad you made it to California. I will make it there one day too. I hope you have had a good week of contemplation XX

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  19. Hi GABRIELLE:
    It is a hard decision which they are grappling with but if anyone can make that decision it is those two. I would let them decide matters of state, I really would. They should run the world. LOL.

    Hi DAVID:
    Thanks for the links. Mr Orbison really did sing like an angel, didn’t he?

    Hi CATHY:
    I am so terribly sorry to hear about both your Mum and your Dad. It makes me cry thinking of how upsetting it must have been for you. Life is so tough sometimes.

    Hi JENNIFER:
    My Uncle did have a knack of looking on the bright side. In spite of it all. I hope I can take a little bit of that with me as I go further down the path of life!

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  20. Hi JEN:
    I really hope this story has inspired somebody. That would make me so happy. I am grateful you visited my blog. You have the most gorgeous hair. WOW!

    Hi AWARENESS:
    You are such a wise woman. You often stagger me with how profound you are. Thank you so much for always putting things in perspective for me ♥

    Hi ROSHAN:
    I can’t wait to go to Canada. I have never been there. It looks so beautiful. I want to go on that big glass-roofed train ride. One day I will do it. I hope you get to go too!

    Hi GERALDINE:
    Karen is awesome. So are you XXX

    Hi KATE:
    I will if you will. It’s a deal. And I know we will both get there 😀 😀 😀

    Hi AINE:
    I’m back on Twitter. My gmail account went down and so did Twitter. I disappeared – POOF. But now I’m back!!

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