Sometimes, I try to laugh at myself and take
a minor break from my serious demeanor
my children often give me “that look”
that silently tells me to loosen up
they don’t like it when I hiss my teeth
or get angry at the petty stuff, they like to
tackle and tickle my funny bone until I burst
into laughter; they appreciate
the smile behind the pain.

The stress, the fears, the worries
usually melt away for the time being
often they remind me to stop choking
the fun out of the light beaming down
on their innocent little faces.