A Mother's Worries and Hopes
'I watch you sleeping peacefully in your crib and I wonder; what are you dreaming about? Do you even dream at all? If you do, then they are nothing like ours.
How we envy you.
You don't know of the things your father and I witness; the danger, the hatred and the violence. You have no clue of what goes on the outside world, no worry or care.
That won't last forever.
You will get older and you will face your own problems. You may not know what to do, but I want to let you know that you can come to me and your father for help or advice.
What problems will you face?
You may be afraid on your very first day of school and will not want to go. I will tell you not to be afraid, that you will make friends and you will like school.
The first time you tell us you like some girl, your father will give advice and then I will give you better advice. The girl you like better be a nice girl and better not break your heart, because if she does then heaven save her from me.
You will come to us when you don't know what to study for when you head off to college and I will suggest that you should study to be an architect or a doctor or a lawyer or even to major in computers like your father did.
I do not want you to choose a life in the military. I do not want to see you risk your life like us. I do not want to see you injured. I do not want you to choose the path I chose.
I grew up where danger was everywhere and wars closer to home. I had to grow up fast if I wanted to survive. I have done things that if you and your father learned about, you two might never see me the same way. I have lost friends and family; people who meant so much to me. If it happens again, I do not know how I could live anymore.
You have no reason to join the military, so your life should be filled with joy. You should learn to throw a ball, not how to fire a gun. You should run in the park, not learning how to sneak up on people. You should be in the backyard playing with your toys, not learning how to disarm a bomb.
Ultimately, only you can choose what you will do with your life, I can't do it for you and I can't do anything about.
No, that is not true.
There is something I can do.
I can hope and pray.
Hope and pray that you will grow up to be a good man. A man that knows the difference between right and wrong. A man who stands up for himself and meets every challenge head on.
But for now, I will continue to watch you sleep and wonder who will you be.
I cannot wait to see.
FIN
Author's Note: Another installment for the "Next" Universe. Reviews keep me young and strong, but not flames.