5 years old.
I am a quiet child,
A polite child.
Mommy and Daddy don’t notice.
I want to be good enough.
8 years old.
I get called mean names.
It hurts,
But I don’t want to complain.
I want to be good enough.
10 years old.
I do all my homework
All on my own.
I don’t want to interrupt Mommy and Daddy.
I want to be good enough.
13 years old.
Horomones are kicking in.
Mommy and Daddy don’t want me to date.
I stay away from boys.
I want to be good enough.
16 years old.
While my friends go out and party,
I stay at home and study.
I’m supposed to be responsible.
I want to be good enough.
18 years old.
Graduation rolls around.
It’s time for college.
I saved up so Mommy and Daddy don’t pay a dime.
I want to be good enough.
21 years old.
I am studying to be a doctor.
Mommy and Daddy said the world doesn’t have enough.
I want to change that.
I want to be good enough.
25 years old.
I am dating now.
He is a surgeon.
I am dating him for Mommy and Daddy.
I want to be good enough.
28 years old.
Mr. Surgeon proposed.
We are getting married.
I hope that is what Mommy and Daddy want.
I want to be good enough.
32 years old.
We have a kid now.
A beautiful baby girl.
I want Mommy and Daddy to be proud.
I want to be good enough.
35 years old.
Mr. Surgeon quit his job.
Now he gets drunk. He is a mean man.
I cannot tell Mommy and Daddy.
I want to be good enough.
40 years old.
My baby girl told Mommy and Daddy about Mr. Surgeon.
I think they are let down.
I divorced Mr. Surgeon.
I want to be good enough.
42 years old.
Mommy and Daddy are in a retirement home.
I quit being a doctor,
So that I can work there and take care of them.
I want to be good enough.
48 years old.
Our baby girl is 16 years old now.
She is such a good girl.
I always remind her,
That I think she is perfect.
60 years old.
Daddy passed away.
He was in a car accident.
At the funeral I placed flowers down and whispered,
“I hope I was good enough.”
62 years old.
Now Mommy is gone.
I guess she missed Daddy.
Her funeral was exactly how she said she wanted it.
I just want to be good enough.
70 years old.
Mommy and Daddy’s granddaughter is happy.
She is getting married.
I hope Mommy and Daddy think I raised her right.
I want to be good enough.
80 years old.
I feel so alone, everyone is gone now.
I do not show my sorrow, I pretend to be happy.
Just in case Mommy and Daddy are watching from heaven.
I want to be good enough.
90 years old.
I retired long ago.
But I am always volunteering.
I want to make Mommy and Daddy proud.
I want so badly to be good enough.
My time has finally come.
I have done all I can.
Mommy?
Daddy?
Was I ever good enough?