American Dream

6 Pages 1621 Words

The American Dream
There are many definitions on how to define The American Dream. Some people see it as having wealth and freedom and not having to worry about financial stability. Others may say that it is working hard for what one has and being able to support his family. Many dictionaries define it as the aspiration of Americans to live better than their parents did. No matter how an individual classifies it, every single one of us has some concept of what the American Dream is. For some, that dream is a reality, and for many more it is a work in progress. As for my parents, their dream changed over time as they grew as a unit. According to my father, their dream was to, “just be together.” At least that is what it started as in the infant stages of their relationship. Throughout the many years of trials, tribulations, gains and setbacks, their true dream was finally realized and then acquired.
Both of my parents discontinued high school when they first married. Although neither of them had any formal education at this time, this may not have been the best decision as my mother also discontinued working and left my father to be the primary financial provider. My father continued his current job at the time which was picking peaches. He was only 16 years old at the time and would seize any opportunity for work he could find. In addition to picking fruit, he also picked cotton and pretty much anything that could be picked. After all, there was money to be earned, and he was going to bring in whatever he could. In addition to the tedious and pitiful field work my father did, he also was in pursuit of a music career. This time-consuming effort only caused problems at the current time.
After long days of hard work in the blistering heat, and sometimes in the freezing cold, he would come home and rehearse relentlessly with his brothers. My father, being the perfectionist that he is, would not let out practice until things were ...