As I plop in my seat to join my son I ask, “Well what do you think?”

“Dad, quite frankly, you don’t at all seem happy.” I feel my heart sink

What’s there to be happy about?

Let’s see, I’ll list them out

Tough to be happy about my empty wallet

Tens of thousands in debt with a shabby closet

Child rearing is a constant battle

Controlling the toddlers while trying to convince the teenagers, it’s like herding cattle

Promotion isn’t happening as soon as I had hoped

When the pressure was on, my reports showcased that I choked

My spouse doesn’t respect me, not sure when they last did

They even stepped out on me…yup…on to someone else they slid

Am I letting life happen to me?

Is this preventing me from being happy?

I’m working to keep it all together

But my son can tell I’m filled with anger

I’m supposed to be the role model setting the example

But right now it’s mostly bad, not many good samples

I could be wrong though and might be providing my kids the lessons

They are watching me throughout their lifetime and not from a single session

It’s difficult to know that it’ll get better when you’re covered in mud

If the present were a firework, it wouldn’t let out much more than a thud

My dad says, “I know it’s hard right now, but you have to outlive it.”

That’s my goal now. To win my day-to-day and to not be conquered by it

Loans, babysitters, a mentor and divorce are potential solutions

Soon, I will be able to remove the waste and toxic pollution