Do you know the song, “Try to Remember” from the musical The Fantastiks? Jerry Orbach sang it when the show premiered in 1960…
I so love that song (and I kinda love Jerry Orbach, too, may he rest in peace). But I’m sharing “Try to Remember” today because we’re starting a new year.
“Deep in December, it’s nice to remember, although you know the snow will follow…”
(And yes, it’s January, but who can rhyme lyrics with January? Just follow me here, okay?)
“Try to remember when life was so tender, that dreams were kept beside your pillow.”
Did you want to grow up and write wonderful stories? Did you dream that people would read your novels and love ‘em the way you loved a favorite book? When I was young and tender, I had those dreams…but I put them away for grown-up life and responsibilities. It was a very long time before I dug under my pillow and pulled those dreams out again.
And now I set goals to achieve those long-ago dreams. But unlike my dreams, my goals are concrete and very specific. For example, I write down “Read 5 books per month,” rather than “Read.” Or “Query highlighted agents in Guide to Literary Agents” rather than “Query.”
Of course, I don’t always accomplish my goals. But then I remember…
“Deep in December, it’s nice to remember, without a hurt, the heart is hollow.”
I pick myself up and start again. Because whatever your dream, it’s worth it.
“Deep in December, our hearts should remember, and follow. Follow, follow.”
Tags: Dreams, Jerry Orbach, The Fantastiks, writing goals
Okay, I don’t know why, but this post has me tearing up a bit! There’s something so meaningful in following a dream and it must have something to do with that.And I like your advice to make those goals a little more specific because all the stuff out there is overwhelming! It’s good to take small bites and digest it all little by little. Great post, Cath.
That song always make me tear up a bit, Deb…I’m such a sap when it comes to musicals…and dreams.
Good post, Cathy! I think it’s important to not get too down on ourselves when we slip and miss a step or two. We just need to pick ourselves back up again and keep going. Or we might need to change the dream up a bit.
Totally agree, Madeline! I thought I’d write the Great American Novel. Now…I’m thinking something funny, and around 50, 000 words is more my dream–
I loved Jerry Orbach too, and this was a very touching post. I had that dream, to write the book that would make somebody love it as much as I loved the books I read. Now I am doing it, albeit a little later than I should have perhaps.
I SO wish I’d gotten back to my writing earlier, Julie. But then I figure a dream deferred is better than none at all.
(Good luck with yours!)
Awww. What a sweet post, Cathy. I always liked Jery Orbach in Law and Order, and wasn’t he in Dirty Dancing too?
I read somewhere that goals are dreams with deadlines, so that’s how I’m approaching living my dreams by setting specific goals in 2012.
Rhyming with January–don’t you worry–I’ll try to come up with something.
Yep, Donna. He was Baby’s daddy. I love that–dreams with deadlines. Although, MY deadlines are the “flexible” types.
I haven’t heard that song in years, but the tune is playing in my head. Great song! I used to have a screen saver that read “Do Your Dream.” That’s when I finally got back into writing novels. I think your funny, 50Kish is an admirable dream.
Oh, and rhyming with January? Man, you’re hairy!
“Do Your Dream”…okay, now I’m thinking of Johnny Depp.
As for your rhyme, I bow to your mad word skilz.
Cathy, there has always been a thin writer in me trying to get out of this holiday weight body. January-schmanuary, fergedabout it! Stop by and visit today if you have time.
What a beautiful post, Ms. Cathy C! I, too, LOVED Jerry Orbach, in everything I saw him in…and I’d forgotten he was in The Fantastiks, a musical! He really had a wonderful life, but it was cut too short. That song made me tear up, too. And oh…what’s that other one…from Fiddler on the Roof? …. Sunrise, Sunset. Gosh, now I’m feeling all melancholy in a sweet, mushy kind of way! LOL
Thanks for this, Cathy. It really meant a lot to me and to my goals and dreams.
Glad y’all stopped by! And dang, Becky, “Sunrise, Sunset” always makes me cry. (Pass the tissues, then go get those dreams!)