My Meaning of Independence

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The other day I asked myself, what does 'be independent' mean to me?

Is it the freedom to stay out late, partying till the sun comes up?

Is it my ability to choose the clothes I wear and reveal a little skin?

Or is it the freedom to be entirely consumed in a relationship,

Disrespect the very person who brought me into this world?

Does it mean that when I turned major in age,

I became my own boss, free to do as I pleased, while living under my mother's roof?

Or does it simply mean that I can trample over the feelings of others as I carve a path for my future?

For me, this kind of independence holds no value.

I have always been encouraged to make my own decisions,

Face the consequences of wrong ones with courage.

From a young age, the responsibility of owning up to faults and learning to have a strong conscience,

From a young age, special significance placed on having the strength to voice my thoughts and opinions.

But when a father wreaked havoc on a family, I saw a mother strive to find her footing,

Where she had to play two roles and raise two children,

In a society so judgmental and merciless,

And in a neighborhood where hypocrites and the rich are put on pedestals. 

The true sense of being independent hit me hard then..

It not only is the ability to learn, earn and survive,

It is the ability to stand your ground, go with your gut feeling, stop people from trampling over you. 

It means that you should be able to walk with your head held high, above all the smog emitted from a ruthless society. 

My life is the way it is, with its highs and lows.

Hers has become her own, after years and years of being stomped on.

What's left is for me to learn from the past and move forward in the right direction,

Owing everything to the one who has given her blood and sweat to teach me the true meaning of

Independence.