The Real Me

My mother wishes that I would be more organized and less messy- so that she would be thought to be a good housekeeper and our house an 'ideal home'.

My father wishes that I would get good marks at school, so he could talk about me to his friends at work, and be thought a successful father.

My grandparents wish that I was younger so that I could be babied, or older, with more achievements, so that they could be proud grandparents.

My teacher wishes that I would be quiet and not ask awkward questions, so that she could be a good teacher without much effort.

My coach wishes that I would be a good player so that his team would win.

I wish that they would encourage me to do well what I can do. I wish that they would stop blaming me for failing to do what I have no ability to do, and allow me to branch out, experiment and explore.

I wish that they could be there when I need them, and yet set me free to discover for myself who I am, why I am here and where I am going.

I wish that I was sure that they loved me, the real me, just as I am, here and now.

Marion Stroud