Dreams On Hold

Published on by thelonelyauthorblog

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Photograph taken by unknown source. It is the only remaining photo of Lonely Author’s mother.

This is for every woman who made the sacrifice of putting their dreams on hold.

Dreams On Hold

Once upon a time
She met a man
Placed her dreams on hold
She slaved for a boss
Ran home to cook meals
Birth a little treasure
Years of housework
Abuse and neglect
Devoted herself to husband’s pleasures
Sacrificed for everyone
Gave up everything
Including herself
And her happiness
Her boy is living his dream
She missed the train of life
Everyone left her behind
She lived unappreciated
Forgotten
Alone
Sad but so true
People forget
Little girls have dreams
too

185 thoughts on “Dreams On Hold”

  4. That’s very sad but also rather beautiful. Parents in general and mothers in particular often sacrifice so much for their children. I know mine did, and I still feel guilty about it to this day even though they’ve never once complained about it.

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  9. Hardly unappreciated, given this poem… And my guess is that little boy became her dream and her happiness, but that might be the mother bias in me. My favorite line, though, has to be “little girls have dreams too.” That started the water works for me for real. Thank you for sharing this!

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    1. Aw, thank you for sharing that. How many women give up their dreams for love & family. No one ever thinks about it. Almost as if, she’s SUPPOSED to do that. It is a sacrifice. So many women really give up their dreams.
      I want to be a good man, husband, and published author. That way her efforts weren’t in vain. Thanks for stopping by to read & contribute such thoughtful words to this post. I appreciate it.

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    1. Yeah, so many things happened in life and I eventually lost every photo I had of my parents. That is all that remains. When I wrote this I was thinking of all the women that give up their dreams for love & family. If you see your mom and yourself in this poem, then you’re seeing 2 great women who understand the words selfsacrificing. You need to be admired. Thanks for stopping by to read and comment. I am so happy to know someone like you.

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      1. Thank you… you’re very sweet to say such lovely things. On photos — I always felt lucky that my dad enjoyed his camera so much. He took tons of photos and even collected some from his family (not easy since he was here in the US and they were still in Italy). Because of him, we have lots of pictures. And when he got too sick to continue taking new ones, I made sure I always took them.

        (Sorry… got a little off topic there!)

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  16. You honor her memory with your beautiful words. Not just these today but the ones you pen every day. The way you write about women, how you love them in life and on paper, shows how well she taught you. She WOULD be proud, I am sure of that!

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    1. Thank you for saying that Leslie. I am sure the two of you would have gotten along. I believe you are one of those special ladies who gave up her dreams for love and family. Self sacrifice is an amaxing trait to have. That alone, makes you special.

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  19. Wow! You have actually pulled tears from my eyes. Little girls do have dreams too. Thank you for acknowledging that. And thank you for acknowledging your mother in such a beautiful way. I have always told my kids, there are many kinds of love. Great kinds of love. But, there is NOTHING in this entire world, bigger than Mommy Love. I know, because I have seen it, felt it, lived it and LOVED IT! XOXO

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  21. This one brought tears to my eyes. My mom worked so hard, ran a farm/ranch, raised seven children (I’m the youngest) almost on her own, since my dad worked out of state all but three or so months of the year. It would take pages for me to list all her daily chores. When I was a ways into adulthood–it took me that long to realize parents are people too–I asked her if she’d had a happy life. Her answer was that it had been satisfying. I know her children were her life. At the age of 87, she collapsed at home–I was visiting at the time. Months before that, her doctor had told her (she felt exhausted all the time) that her body and heart were worn out, and there was no drugs to fix that. She posted a DNR on the fridge in her house, and told us that if something happened to her, to let her go. After her collapse (we think she suffered a stroke) we–her children–took care of her in her home until she passed on a cold January night 4 months later. My dad followed her about a year later at the age of 94. We took care of him in the home he’d shared with Mama too. Neither died in a hospital, but in their own bed surrounded by their children.
    I know my mom would have lived her life the same if given a choice–as I would.
    I quit writing to raise my son. If I hadn’t, maybe I would be a published author now. But I wouldn’t go back and change anything–my son is my world. And he has told me many times, of the wonderful childhood memories he has involving his dad and me, how loved he felt. He’s a good man, husband, and father. He is my life’s greatest accomplishment.
    Whew, I went on and on. So sorry, but thinking about my wonderful mama does that to me.
    A lovely post, Andrew. I would lay odds you made a lot of mother’s day. 🙂

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    1. Smiling. Your post gave me a knot in my throat. What a wonderful story. Like you, I was at my parents side when each one passed. It is the least we can do for them. Mothers give up dreams, their lives, and more to raise us. I know people measure greatest & success in different ways, but I see your mother & self sacrificing women like her as great women. You sound like your pretty awesome, too. I am lucky to have met you. Thank you for stropping by to contribute your heartfelt story and your amazing words. Mucho appreciated.

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  22. Sigh…. yes. I have seven treasures of my own. My mother and grandmother I feel devoted everything to their families. My mother still does. Drove two hours yesterday to help me with the kids then drove back a few hours later.

    Your mother was beautiful ♡

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    1. Thank you, unfortuantely, this chimp looks nothing like her. There isn’t a pedestal high enough to demonstrate the sacrifices mothers make. Your mom still gives up her time & dreams for others. Amazing woman. Some may think I am overstating it, but I really believe self sacrificing women are the greatest ones of all. Every doctor, lawyaer, president, all came from mothers. Thanks for stopping by to contribute your lovely thoughts.

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  25. The nature of being a Mother is such that a major part of her hopes and dreams involve instilling life and love into her children. Dedication, ambition, talents, skills, attitudes, sense of humanity…these are a few. So the soul behind that sweet loving expression of that young girl in the photo lives on forever. That’s the way it is! Beautiful writing….thanks for posting it. 🙂

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          1. I understand that. I think that thoughtful thanks from a child is part of the legacy, the recognition of gratitude as innate rather than due to prodding. My kids aren’t required in any way to “thank” me for anything…but I am glad that they do in various ways. way with most Moms.

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  26. Wow! I bet you if you were to ask her… She would probably answer you: “My dreams are being fulfilled through you now; yes, I’m the driven force to your inspiration.” I honestly can identify to this masterpiece of yours. Thank you for sharing it. Your Mother looks lovely.

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  29. A stunning photo and truthful words. Where i live, this was the norm, for decades. It is slowly changing but I wonder what percentage of girls still put their dreams on hold for the sake of another? Great write, my friend!

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  30. Another beautiful piece my friend! I feel so many things reading this. But more importantly that YOU brought out the real beauty and truth of being a mom. You understand it whole heartedly, I love you for that. You are such a sincere man and seeing that in your writing is s true gift that I can’t wait to keep opening! Thank you💋 You had a beautiful and amazing mother~God bless her and you!

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    1. You touched me with your sweet comments. To know that my words penetrated your awesome boobs and touched your heart. Wow, (Sorry for that. I am laughing so freaking hard). Okay. Seriously. You are so kind. All mothers making incredible sacrifices for love and family, and many times it goes unnoticed. Sometimes, I wish I cvould have given birth. And thanks for the words about my mom, I miss her.

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      1. Okay, I’m dying😂 So I guess this will be something between us now huh? (And everyone who reads these comments!) Just speaking the truth Andrew! That’s very sweet and I’m sorry you miss her but you know what kind of a mother she was and that alone will give you some sort of peace💋

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  34. sad, story of many women, glad you are living her dreams, may be she missed the train behind but she did let her son catch one and that in itself is the victory of every Mother. 🙂 Love this poem and your mom was very beautiful..!! ♡

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                  1. Oh boy! Thank God you went that way! Other people might have identified with their father and gone in that direction. Very hard to have a clear perspective when living in a blender and walking on egg shells. Kudos to you! Now, you know I am going to ask how your children are?! I can’t seem to stop myself! Sorry!

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  43. Often the pattern repeats itself, but why? Why do we come to expect this incredible sacrifice of self? Their willingness to accept this role for the sake of others is both remarkable and sad. Your mother was a beautiful woman as well as a beautiful person.

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  46. This is the only picture of your mother? What happened to the others?
    Your poem reminds me of my grandmother. She’s lived her life dedicated to her kids, and then her grandkids, for so long that I don’t think she remembers how to live a life where no one needs her. At some point in her life, she developed the opinion that worrying for someone is the same as loving them, and being unneeded is the same as being unloved.

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    1. That is exactly what I was thinking of when I wrote these words. Everything comes before their own needs. By many people standards she was an ordinary woman, but the self sacrifice that she made made her great. Thanks for reading. And through lifes tragedies I lost all the photos I have.

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      1. I have to ask you to forgive me. Sometimes i dont express myself so well and it is a mess…. When i said “enough” i was talking to myself… as i always do…. It is a pleasure talk with you. 🙂 🙂

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