• Home
  • My Books
  • #RememberMeleah
  • #RememberRyan
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Teaching
  • Contact
  • My Blog
  Michael S. Jeffress, Ph.D.

The Death of a Dream

12/4/2013

9 Comments

 
Picture










Son, I do not mourn your death as much as I mourn

     the death of the dream that died with you.

I know that you suffered; your tired body was worn out,

     but the dream was very much still alive--

A dream that you might decide to fight a little longer

     buy us a little more time and keep this dream alive…

A dream that you might live long enough

     to witness the cure of your dreadful disease…

A dream that you might be able to realize your dream

     to continue your studies and graduate from college…

A dream that you could experience some measure

     of independent living and land your dream job as a sportscaster…

A dream that you would find that special someone

     and experience the euphoria of romantic love…

A dream that you would find your soul mate,

     get married, and know the joy of becoming a parent…

A dream that you would live long enough to see

     your mother healthy and whole and happily remarried…

A dream that you would live long enough to see me give

     your sisters away to men who will love them as much as you and I…

A dream that you would decide to give your stepmother and me

     a chance to provide a home and care for you as we so wanted to do…

A dream that we could become the family we longed to be

     and renovate the room above the garage to be your bachelor pad…

A dream that you might finish your degree here at Nicholls

     and remember the joy of playing power soccer on our new team…

A dream that we could allow you to take your monthly disability check

     and buy your dream accessible vehicle or whatever you wanted…

A dream that you would live long enough to have on this side of time

     more peace and understanding—you had less than your fair share.

Now you are gone and I must not dwell on what might have been,

     but life will never be the same now that this dream has come to an end.


9 Comments
    Picture
    Image description: A raised fist with a wheelchair disability symbol on the wrist and the words "Support Disability Rights" underneath
    Image of Michael Jeffress on stage delivering a speech
    Image description: illustration depicting blue and green raised fists with a universal disability symbol superimposed on one fist to indicate disability pride.

    @CommprofessorMJ

    Welcome to my blog page. I write occasionally on topics I care about. I am a professor, a disability advocate and social critic. Above all, I am a lucky husband, father and grandparent.

    Archives

    July 2022
    October 2020
    September 2020
    December 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    September 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    July 2015
    January 2015
    January 2014
    December 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Categories

    All
    Christian Pacifism
    Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
    Gay Marriage
    God And Country
    Higher Education
    Just War
    Pacifism
    Philosophy Of Education
    Ryan Jeffress
    Teaching Philosophy

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.