Sylvia Wynter's Dream

When I was younger I was convinced I would be the best parent in the world. I adopted so many children of different shapes, sizes and looks from all over the world. Kids that had no real heart and instead were stuffed with cotton and sewed to perfection by their creators. Nevertheless, they were my children and to me they had the biggest hearts. They loved me and I loved them back and their treatment was nothing short of perfection. I gave them names and made them feel special. I made them go to school, gave them superpowers, backstories, futures, a tv show and made them musicians. They would never leave me but, unfortunately, they would eventually be taken from me and given to their next parent who I hoped loved them as I did. It is true that at a certain age you have to let your kids go even if you’re not ready. However, you hope that they’ll go on to be amazing out in the world. Still, I wish I could’ve held them forever.

I remember Jessie. She was my favourite even though I would never admit it. They say parents never have a favourite child but oftentimes it’s all a lie. Her vibrant red hair made her stand out among her siblings. She was always willing to be there for me when I wanted somebody to play with and it was fun and exciting making her a superstar and an alien princess fighting evil with her cosmic magic. We went on many adventures in my imagination and in real life. There was never a family trip that she missed. She was right by my side every time that, eventually, her grandparents knew her by name and made sure she was with me every time we left. If she tore her arm and the cotton started to fall out, I would sew her back up. I made sure she was healthy even as her vibrant red hair fell out. Unfortunately, all my attempts couldn’t save her. I had to say goodbye to my favourite alien princess, popstar, actress, dancer and educated daughter, Jessie. 

My parents tried to get me a new Jessie to replace the daughter I had just lost but I knew it would never be the same because she could never be replaced. Though they were identical, she was not my Jessie. I can feel the memories of that part of my childhood slowly fading. Memories are all I have left of her and all of my children that have been taken from me. I wish to never forget them and so I fear amnesia. They may be gone now but I will always want to hold my children in my heart forever.