We all have dreams. Some large. Some small. I write my dreams down so they become goals.
Three years ago I would never have thought I could walk down a street and someone would have tears in their eyes and say “MamaSal!” with such glee. It is a strange feeling in your home town but when, like me, you have travelled all the way from Canada to Anaheim to attend VidCon it is such a wonderful feeling! Or, when you are seeking shade at Disneyland and someone stands beside you and tentatively, yet oh so politely, asks “MamaSal, is it ok to take a picture with you?’ Quite honestly, it is humbling and brings tears to my eyes just typing these words now, as I fly home.
You see, being a YouTuber is not about fame and fortune. It is about relationships. People “know” you. They “feel” you and the care…deeply. They admire who you are, or what you say, or how you do things. They love you for being who you are and, I believe, hope and pray that who they met will be that same person. Without them where would we be?
I am fairly new to the lifestyle and am still in awe of what I see and what I learn. To attend VidCon was a dream. I had not even made it a full goal because I didn’t feel I had grown enough yet in this YouTube life. I learned so much at VidCon and know I will spend a year trying to put into reality the stepping stones I can see I have skipped along my path here or add the creativity that I am now ready for.
Like the viewers who had the opportunity to interview while I was on this journey, we are all wishing on our individual stars and taking our individual routes to our destinations.
While attending VidCon I was able to also achieve a second goal. I made it to Disneyland for the first time. The happiest place on earth is what they said it was. Then how come I cried as I walked onto Disney “land”? How come I cried when I saw the magic castle? How come I cried when I watched the unbelievable light show to celebrate their 60th Anniversary? Was it because I remembered when Snow White and Bambi were around? Or that I remember how I felt when Mowgli and Jungle Book where on my wish list? Or was it reliving the emotion I felt when I first saw Simba, Ariel, Anna, Cinderella and Lady sucking on spaghetti with the Tramp?
Or like the viewers, had I always hoped and prayed I would make it to “meet” them and that, when I did, they would look, sound and feel just as I imagined they would and they did? Is that why I cried?
When you wish upon a star … dreams come true
