I Have A Dream

Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I have a dream" speech, and all of the morning shows were commemorating the event with clips of MLK's life and updated dream speeches for today's generation.

I'm very lucky, because I was born in a time and place that has allowed me a lifetime void of persecution, and the freedom to make whatever choices I want.  Well, until I had kids, that is.  Motherhood has led to a whole new set of bonds, and while I would never deign to compare my struggles to those of King and his followers, as a mother I have dreams.

I have a dream that one day, date nights won't be punctuated with grocery runs to Walmart.

I have a dream that mothers everywhere will be able to leave the bathroom door unlocked without fear of interruption or invasion of personal space.

I have a dream that the day I am no longer worried about my boys sneaking candy at night is not the same day I worry about them sneaking out of the house.

I have a dream that every family dinner won't have to include tater tots,  hot dogs or applesauce.

I have a dream that I won't always have to tread carefully in my own home, avoiding land mines of Lego pieces and tiny plastic pistols.

I have a dream that Cael and Graham will never appear on a reality TV show.

I have a dream that one day, my phone won't be a video game, my kitchen utensils be weapons or my bra a slingshot.

I have a dream that my children won't document or mock my mistakes and stumbles in my old age.  I also dream that they won't feel I've done that with them as children.

I have a dream that my patience will be greater than my threshold for chaos.

I have a dream that mothers won't always degrade each other for how they raise their children.

I have a dream that my marriage will stand the test of time, and serve as an example to my kids.

I have a dream that I will leave them a legacy, surely not as widespread as Dr. King's, but one that my children will remember to be full of integrity, love, faith and humor.

What a sweet dream that would be.