Fences, directed by Denzel Washington and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning stage play by August Wilson, tells the story of a hard-working father and mother who have given up their dreams due to the political and fiscal climate surrounding their times. Washington plays the character of Troy Maxson – a baseball star in the making who didn’t meet the age requirements by the time major leagues began accepting black players into the fold. It was his dream, essentially deferred. When we talk about sacrifices in that era, it is imperative that women not be left out of the conversation. There is a snippet of the movie where Viola Davis, with a tear-stained face, recounts her dashed hopes and dreams as she looks back on her life as a devoted wife and mother.

As it comes to their son, he is undeniably a rising talent in baseball, just as his father was. But you also get the sense that his father struggled along the border of living vicariously through his son and not wanting him to wallow in disappointment as he fif when things didn’t go quite as planned.

“Fences are made to keep people out or to keep people in.”

How many of you can relate to some aspect of this story – whether it be your grandparents, parents or you?

As a 30-something, I can reflect back and see that my parents gave up everything for myself and my siblings. My mother was a talented seamstress, yet a homemaker for my entire life. She tirelessly, without any complaints that my ears have directly heard, took care of home with very little room for self-care. My father woke up every morning for years at 4 a.m. on the dot to trudge on to work a full day of intense labor. He would sometimes get home late into the evening and could barely muster up enough energy to stay awake past 8 p.m.

They had hopes and dreams – deferred.

In adulthood, I feel that it is my duty to honor my empty-nested parents, not only in following my dreams but by ensuring that they go out and share their gifts with and travel the world. I let them know that their deferred dreams were not in vain. There truly is no expiration date on the value you bring to the table. Many of our elders may feel that their ships have sailed, which is why it's important to remind them that they matter, their talents matter, their dreams still matter…even if they are only passing down skillsets. Acquisition of knowledge is the greatest gift within itself. The greatest takeaway is that parental relationships and lessons are ever-changing and ever-evolving, and hopefully for the better. Today, things have significantly evolved, with still a lot more work to do thanks to our heroes and champions for change. I can now teach my children that they don't have to give up on their dreams, regardless of the circumstances, just like me.

Brought to you by Fences, in theaters nationwide Dec. 25.

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Valerie Robinson

Writing since December 2016 · 1 story contributed