Your Dreams Are Mine

Mother,
you had dreams of becoming a doctor.
Someone who would save lives,
sticks needles into the skin of the sick,
or possibly attempt surgery on the brain.

Mother,
you had dreams of becoming a lawyer.
Someone who would fight for their client,
prove a guilty person innocent,
or possibly attempt to create new laws.

Mother,
you had successful dreams
that were taken from you when I was born.
You had dreams of traveling the world
and making a lot of money.
Once you got married,
your dreams changed drastically.
You dreamed of having a beautiful home
with a loving husband
and two beautiful children.

Unfortunately,
those dreams were taken from you as well.
You were blessed with one child,
but cursed with an abusive husband.
Since you were unable to fulfill your dreams,
you gave me the chance to fulfill mine.
I was taught at a very young age
that my dream of becoming a cashier
was invalid.

Mother,
you taught me that I deserved
only the best of dreams.
Now my dreams are
extraordinary.
I dream of being a therapist
with a PhD.
I dream of helping juvenile delinquents
with problems that can be challenging.

I dream of creating
a white picket fence home
with two children running around
and a supportive husband;
hoping that you will be there.

I dream of the things you dream.
I dream of completing your dreams
because so far
you have completed mine.