When I was just starting out in the business, I used to love to

Willard Scott, with warmth and humility, once declared: “When I was just starting out in the business, I used to love to watch Lorne Greene doing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I said right then, 'That's what I want to do someday,' and it's been one dream that has come true.” In this reflection lies the story of dreams, of how the spark of inspiration seen in the life of another can ignite a fire within our own. His words remind us that even the grandest achievements often begin with a simple moment of wonder, a young person gazing at someone they admire and daring to say, “That could be me.”

The origin of his memory lies in the great American tradition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a spectacle of color, music, and joy that has filled the streets of New York City for nearly a century. For Scott, watching Lorne Greene—an established figure of dignity and presence—was not just entertainment, but a revelation. In Greene’s voice and bearing, he saw both celebration and authority, festivity and professionalism. For a young man at the beginning of his career, this was not merely a performance; it was a vision of a path he longed to walk.

This truth finds echoes across history. Consider the young Abraham Lincoln, who, before becoming president, stood as a boy listening to lawyers speak in the courthouses of Illinois. He was captivated by the power of their words, and in that moment, he whispered within himself, “This I must learn.” From such a spark was kindled a career that shaped a nation. Or recall the painter Michelangelo, inspired by the great sculptors of Florence, who saw marble take life under their hands and declared, “I, too, will speak through stone.” So it is with Scott: the sight of Greene on Thanksgiving morning became a signpost pointing to his destiny.

The deeper meaning of Scott’s words lies in the power of vision and perseverance. He did not simply admire Greene; he carried that admiration into his own journey. Many are inspired, but few are faithful to the long labor that makes a dream come true. Scott reminds us that the distance between desire and fulfillment is bridged by persistence, preparation, and patience. His joy in saying the dream was “one that has come true” is the joy of one who remembers the long road from inspiration to reality.

It also speaks to the sacredness of tradition and continuity. The Macy’s Parade, celebrated year after year, became a stage where generations passed the torch. Lorne Greene inspired Willard Scott, and Scott himself, in turn, became a figure of inspiration for countless viewers and aspiring broadcasters. The cycle of tradition is not merely about the event itself, but about the way dreams are handed down, one life sparking another, like candles lighting across the years.

The lesson for future generations is this: pay attention to what inspires you. When you feel your heart stirred by another’s work, do not dismiss it as mere fancy. That stirring may be the whisper of your destiny. Like Scott, dare to name your dream. Hold it close, nurture it, and walk steadily toward it, even if the road is long. For what is planted in wonder may blossom into reality if watered with perseverance.

Practical wisdom flows from Scott’s story: watch those who have gone before you, and let their example shape your vision. Do not envy their success, but let it awaken your own calling. Celebrate traditions, for within them lie opportunities to find purpose and direction. And when your own dream is fulfilled, remember that your life too may be the spark that ignites another. In this way, the chain of inspiration never ends.

Thus, Willard Scott’s words become more than the memory of a broadcaster—they become a parable of hope. He shows us that dreams begin with wonder, grow through perseverance, and are fulfilled in time. Let this truth be carried forward: that no dream is too small if it is born of inspiration and pursued with faith. And when the day comes that your own dream is realized, give thanks, for you will have joined the great circle of those who inspire others to dream anew.