---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Remember how we forgot? Once upon a time…"
description: "\"“Remember how we forgot? Once upon a time, we were young Our dreams hung like apples Waiting to be picked and peeled And hope was something needing to ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91d/shane-l-koyczan-106386_big-fish_remember-how-we-forgot-once-upon-a-time_92547.jpg"
---

#  Remember how we forgot? Once upon a time, we were young…

![“Remember how we forgot? Once upon a time, we were young Our dreams hung like apples Waiting to be picked and peeled And hope was something needing to be reeled-in So we can fill the always empty big fish bin with the one that got away And proudly say that &quot;this time, impossible is not an option&quot;…” quote by Shane L. Koyczan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91d/shane-l-koyczan-106386_big-fish_remember-how-we-forgot-once-upon-a-time_92547.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91d/shane-l-koyczan-106386_big-fish_remember-how-we-forgot-once-upon-a-time_92547.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91d/shane-l-koyczan-106386_big-fish_remember-how-we-forgot-once-upon-a-time_92547.jpg)

> ““Remember how we forgot? Once upon a time, we were young Our dreams hung like apples Waiting to be picked and peeled And hope was something needing to be reeled-in So we can fill the always empty big fish bin with the one that got away And proudly say that "this time, impossible is not an option" Because success is so akin to effort and opportunity they could be related So we took chances We figure skated on thin ice Believed that each slice of life was served with something sweet on the side And failure was never nearly as important as the fact that we tried That in the war against frailty and limitation We supplied the determination it takes to make ideas and goals the parents of Possibility And we believe ourselves to be members of this family Not just one branch on one tree But a forest whose roots make up a dynasty””

Shane L. Koyczan

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poem celebrates youthful dreams, perseverance, and the collective effort to turn possibilities into reality, urging bold action despite fear.

**In simple terms:** Dreams need bold action.

Key Takeaway

Pursue dreams despite doubt.

Themes

dreams perseverance possibility youth determination

Mood

inspirational determined

Type

poem motivation

When to use this quote

- personal projects
- team ventures
- creative pursuits

Key Concepts

goal setting risk taking collective optimism

Questions to Reflect On

- What steps will you take today?
- How can you support others’ dreams?

A Different Perspective

Dreams alone may not materialize without effort.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Big fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-fish/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Remembering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remembering/) [Slice of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slice-of-life/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [“I know her name. I remember because I forgot. That’s one of the joys of love. Well, two of the joys.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-know-her-name-i-remember-because-i-forgot-that-s-one-of-the-joys-of/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [All that we call spirit and art and ecstacy only means that for one awful instant we remember that we forgot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-that-we-call-spirit-and-art-and-ecstacy-only-means-that-for-one/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Do you remember what I forgot?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-goros/do-you-remember-what-i-forgot/)

[Erica Goros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-goros/)

> [I may have forgotten your birthday, but at least I remember that I forgot your birthday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-may-have-forgotten-your-birthday-but-at-least-i-remember-that-i/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [There's not millions of dollars riding behind something - so I think a lot of people took chances on me and cast me in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessie-mueller/there-s-not-millions-of-dollars-riding-behind-something-so-i-think-a/)

[Jessie Mueller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessie-mueller/)

> [If one took no chances, one would not fly at all. Safety lies in the judgment of the chances one takes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lindbergh/if-one-took-no-chances-one-would-not-fly-at-all-safety-lies-in-the/)

[Charles Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lindbergh/)

> [So now I'm flirting with death, hustling like a G While victory wasn't watching took chances repeatedly As a teenage boy before acne Before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/so-now-i-m-flirting-with-death-hustling-like-a-g-while-victory-wasn-t/)

[Jay-z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/)

> [I'm not from the generation that took chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bishop/i-m-not-from-the-generation-that-took-chances/)

[John Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bishop/)

> [We have to compete within ourselves relative to the determination it takes to be successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-saban/we-have-to-compete-within-ourselves-relative-to-the-determination-it/)

[Nick Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-saban/)

> [“To train the mind, you must exercise the patience and determination it takes to shape that steel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama-xiv/to-train-the-mind-you-must-exercise-the-patience-and-determination-it/)

[Dalai Lama XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama-xiv/)

> [Even if you can sing or even if you can write a song, it takes a lot of determination, it takes some kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/even-if-you-can-sing-or-even-if-you-can-write-a-song-it-takes-a-lot/)

[John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/)

> [“Life can be difficult at times and many questions have no answers. The determination it takes to go on and the resiliency required of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-simon-gunn/life-can-be-difficult-at-times-and-many-questions-have-no-answers-the/)

[Jacqueline Simon Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-simon-gunn/)

> [You have to have determination, and sometimes it takes sacrifice. You have to be willing to give what it takes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keyshia-cole/you-have-to-have-determination-and-sometimes-it-takes-sacrifice-you/)

[Keyshia Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keyshia-cole/)

> [“We have all read in scientific books, and, indeed, in all romances, the story of the man who has forgotten his name. This man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/we-have-all-read-in-scientific-books-and-indeed-in-all-romances-the/)

[G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/)

> [“If I could forget you! Is my love then a work of memory? Even if time expunged everything from its tablets, expunged even memory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-ren-kierkegaard/if-i-could-forget-you-is-my-love-then-a-work-of-memory-even-if-time/)

[Søren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-ren-kierkegaard/)

## More by Shane L. Koyczan

> [“We were here And our memories are as dear to us as every slow motion moment or held breath So remember every instance before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-l-koyczan/we-were-here-and-our-memories-are-as-dear-to-us-as-every-slow-motion/)

Shane L. Koyczan

Explore all 2 Shane L. Koyczan quotes

## More Big fish quotes

> [I am a storyteller, and I grew up with a father who told big-fish stories, so storytelling is very much a part of me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-stroman/i-am-a-storyteller-and-i-grew-up-with-a-father-who-told-big-fish/)

[Susan Stroman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-stroman/)

> [They say when you meet the love of your life, time stops, and that's true. What they don't tell you is that when it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-wallace/they-say-when-you-meet-the-love-of-your-life-time-stops-and-that-s/)

[Daniel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-wallace/)

> [I'm a big fish eater. Salmon - I love salmon. My sister loves Chinese food and sushi and all that. I'm not as big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elle-fanning/i-m-a-big-fish-eater-salmon-i-love-salmon-my-sister-loves-chinese/)

[Elle Fanning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elle-fanning/)

> [Big fish eat small fish with as much right as they have power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/big-fish-eat-small-fish-with-as-much-right-as-they-have-power/)

[Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/)

> [I'm never sure one is exactly ready. You jump in, with both feet, into a very big fish pond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-andrews/i-m-never-sure-one-is-exactly-ready-you-jump-in-with-both-feet-into-a/)

[Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-andrews/)

> [Captains who fish for compliments are limited to shallow shores. You'll catch big fish in deep waters by opening more doors than you close!~](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-compton/captains-who-fish-for-compliments-are-limited-to-shallow-shores-you/)

[Bobby Compton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-compton/)

> [“At the Fishhouses Although it is a cold evening, down by one of the fishhouses an old man sits netting, his net, in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-bishop/at-the-fishhouses-although-it-is-a-cold-evening-down-by-one-of-the/)

[Elizabeth Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bishop/)

> [The storms come and go, the waves crash overhead, the big fish eat the little fish, and I keep on paddling. (Varys)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-storms-come-and-go-the-waves-crash-overhead-the-big-fish-eat-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Big fishes need big baits..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/big-fishes-need-big-baits/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [“Lesson number one: “Not my problem” is not a philosophy. It’s a mental illness. Right up there with pessimism. Other people’s problems are our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-weiner/lesson-number-one-not-my-problem-is-not-a-philosophy-it-s-a-mental/)

[Eric Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-weiner/)

> [I flung open the door. I got a momentary flash of about a hundred and fifteen cats of all sizes and colours scrapping in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-flung-open-the-door-i-got-a-momentary-flash-of-about-a-hundred-and/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I'm a huge 'Nightmare before Christmas' fan, but that was also Henry Selick. I'm a really big fan of 'Sleepy Hollow.' I love 'Big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-leth/i-m-a-huge-nightmare-before-christmas-fan-but-that-was-also-henry/)

[Kate Leth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-leth/)

> [Bragging is not an attractive trait, but let's be honest. A man who catches a big fish doesn't go home through an alley.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-landers/bragging-is-not-an-attractive-trait-but-let-s-be-honest-a-man-who/)

[Ann Landers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-landers/)

> [The finest gift you can give to any fisherman is to put a good fish back, and who knows if the fish that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-wulff/the-finest-gift-you-can-give-to-any-fisherman-is-to-put-a-good-fish/)

[Lee Wulff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-wulff/)

> [“Because, you see, he was not a person. He was a fish, which is what he had been all along. As a big fish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-krishna/because-you-see-he-was-not-a-person-he-was-a-fish-which-is-what-he/)

Lord Krishna

[Browse all 89 Big fish quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-fish/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Remember how we forgot? Once upon a time, we were young Our dreams hung like apples Waiting to be picked and peeled And hope was something needing to be reeled-in So we can fill the always empty big fish bin with the one that got away And proudly say that \"this time, impossible is not an option\" Because success is so akin to effort and opportunity they could be related So we took chances We figure skated on thin ice Believed that each slice of life was served with something sweet on the side And failure was never nearly as important as the fact that we tried That in the war against frailty and limitation We supplied the determination it takes to make ideas and goals the parents of Possibility And we believe ourselves to be members of this family Not just one branch on one tree But a forest whose roots make up a dynasty”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Shane L. Koyczan"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-l-koyczan/remember-how-we-forgot-once-upon-a-time-we-were-young-our-dreams-hung/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Big fish"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-l-koyczan/remember-how-we-forgot-once-upon-a-time-we-were-young-our-dreams-hung/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91d/shane-l-koyczan-106386_big-fish_remember-how-we-forgot-once-upon-a-time_92547.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91d/shane-l-koyczan-106386_big-fish_remember-how-we-forgot-once-upon-a-time_92547.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91d/shane-l-koyczan-106386_big-fish_remember-how-we-forgot-once-upon-a-time_92547.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Remember how we forgot? Once upon a time, we were young Our dreams hung like apples Waiting to be picked and…” — Shane L. Koyczan",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Shane L. Koyczan",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-l-koyczan/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Remember how we forgot? Once upon...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-l-koyczan/remember-how-we-forgot-once-upon-a-time-we-were-young-our-dreams-hung/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-l-koyczan/remember-how-we-forgot-once-upon-a-time-we-were-young-our-dreams-hung/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
