In the midst of the hushed whispers of night,
The gentle breaths of my six young stars captivate me.
Each one is a universe of dreams and laughter.
They slumber noisily in their warm beds.
I am the most trusted guardian,
Their storyteller, and the keeper of hugs,
And the quick healer of scraped knees.
I am the only person who scares school bullies.
Just yesterday, these guys sat on my lap and licked their tiny thumbs.


Every morning, I become the master of chaos.
Dealing with quick breakfasts, messy hair, and dirty uniforms.
Mismatched socks and unfinished projects or homework.
I juggle jobs and joys, always fixing a toy with one hand.
And the other is typing away at home as a freelance writer.
The chaps and I are like a rudderless ship on an endless sea.
I...