3 minute read

when You Wish upon a Star

from YOUR Williamson August 2023

from YOUR Williamson August 2023, page 98

Curious Cures & Peculiar Proce...

Dear Readers,

Since childhood, I have loved this song. The lyrics, are, as intended, full of the message that anything is possible; dreams do come true – when you wish upon a star.

As an adult, we know all too well that it’s not as simple as that. Or is it? Instead of focusing on the concrete fulfillment of our dreams or goals, we should acknowledge that life may have a different path for us and, in accepting that, we can find fulfillment in living out our intended destiny.

And sometimes, we don’t realize that until after the heartache of a dashed dream or heartfelt wish. Only then, when the tears subside and disappointment abates, can we see – that in fact, life worked out just as it should.

There’s an adage about God’s intended purposes for us that may not match what we think we want, need or deserve. We wish and hope and pray and assume that our God and the universe will behave accordingly. And yet, that’s not how the world works, is it? Disappointments build character because they enable us to rethink and reset ourselves so we can still achieve that dream, but perhaps in a better way, smarter way or different way. Our perspective about what we want versus what we really need – to be happy, changes over time. With maturity and experience, we learn what really is important and what really makes our dreams come true.

I consider myself blessed in many ways and feel like I live a pretty special life. Much of that I attribute to the fate of my birth. But I also know that most dreams can’t and don’t happen by accident either. As Christians, we believe, our lives are pre-destined so to speak, by God. But, even as God’s words decree, we can’t just sit back on our laurels and wait. We have to work, we have to plan, we have to be proactive, we have to do something! It takes courage, decisiveness, decidedness, commitment, endurance and above all – faith – to get where we are meant to be.

I try, every single day, to fulfill the destiny set before me and believe wholeheartedly that I am ultimately the master in charge of my happiness.

I can’t wake up and be negative, can’t say “can’t,” can’t say “won’t” and can’t be a taker rather than a giver. Those are the mantras I try to live by along with my faith – to keep me going and get me to the next rung of life. Get up and brush yourself off is a saying I repeat to myself often, because I know, if you decide to wallow in your disappointments and strife, the only thing coming from that is well…more of the same.

This summer, I have wished upon a star more than once. My mother beat cancer (so far, so good) this summer, after half a year of her own personal hell. As her family, all we could do was cheer her on, hold her hand and pray. Wishing upon every star – for a happy ending. And God willing, she has it. She never gave up and she never gave in and now, in some ways changed forever and molded by her experience, she can fully understand how fragile life is. She knows, firsthand, what it means to survive. A dream come true.

I also got to see my beautiful and talented daughter fulfill a dream she probably didn’t even know she had. She and her amazing team of dancers from the Ann Carroll School of Dance (kudos to their incredible leadership – Laura, Kelsey, Katie, Jeanne and Maggie); for five days these girls took Disney World by storm and danced their way through two park parades, a showcase with dancers from around the country - all while showing grit and determination (in 107-degree heat no less) like I have never seen. As a mom, pride and joy at your child’s joy, is a feeling that one can’t really put into words. And so, the picture speaks for itself. Joy personified – a dream come true.

When you wish upon a star… when you wish upon a star makes no difference who you are anything your heart desires will come to you if your heart is in your dream no request is too extreme when you wish upon a star as dreamers do like a bolt out of the blue fate steps in and sees you through when you wish upon a star your dreams come true

May all YOUR wishes and dreams come true as you wind down your summer and return to the land of homework, carpools, schedules and cooler temps.

Shelly Robertson Birdsong Publisher | Owner shelly@robertsonmediagroup.com

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