Twas the night before elementary, when all through the house
All the boys were stirring like a cheez-it filled mouse.
The book bags were hung by the garage with care,
In hopes they would sleep and tomorrow’d be here;
These children weren’t nestled all snug in their beds;
I wanted to put palm upside of their heads;
And mama sat with them while I paced nearby,
flashing anger when I heard each one in turn cry.
A balance, you see, must be struck by a Dad,
to remove yourself, sir, when you start to get mad.
The spanking and screaming could be sure to follow,
When boys in their own self pity wallow.
“Oh Daddy, dessert please! Can we stay up till 10?!”
Amazing they think if they cry then they win.
It brings to mind my mom’s answer for pouts.
“Stop or I’ll give you something to cry about!”
But a balance is struck by the dad in this case.
Let the wife do her thing, and you can just pace.
All life is balance between good and bad,
Between tough and easy, happy and sad.
These lessons I learned carry through all my days,
As a father, a husband, and many more ways;
As a writer, a thinker, a gentleman too,
I pass lessons like memes to all of you.
Now the house grows still; the kids fall to slumber.
The clock clicks to 9, close to the key number.
Ten minutes erased and shared on the page,
I say better this than a moment of rage.
Some Thoughts:
- I recorded the Giants game. I’ve only seen snippets, but it is clearly too soon to tell if they are going to be a winning team this year. One thing I noticed right away is how much younger the team is. Strahan was walking through the huddle chest bumping children and strangers.
- School. I didn’t think I’d be so pumped to see them going back, but I am all for it. I could use some time to handle my own ‘ish.