The light turns red as my mother and I drive down the busy street
She turns and asks me a question

A question that I shouldn't have to think about just yet
A question that a nine year old just can't answer right away
A question for the future
"What do you want to do when you grow up?"

Confusion displayed on my face
My mind stops and asks itself, "What do I want to do?"

Well mom, I want to travel to the moon
I want to swim with dolphins
I want to meet the Backstreet Boys
I want to travel around the world

Is that a good enough answer?
Was it the right answer?

Not at all, mother's reaction to my answers were like she had just heard the tires screeching from the car in front of us
"Why do you want those things? I want you to become a doctor."
Not a dolphin trainer, that's not something useful
Not an astronaut, you could die
No meeting the Backstreet Boys, boys are no good

My dreams were washed away with my mother's wishes
Now I know the answer to that question; it's not any of my wants