Even when I walk
through the darkest valley ,

where the flu won't leave

and the dirty dishes stay stacked

where the ice comes out of the freezer

as ice(creamy) because someone hid ice cream in the dispenser

where the floor is still sticky from spilled Gatorade

-even under the covers where Rylie and I hid

and cried about bullies yesterday afternoon

where dirty clothes are in heaps in the hallway

where a headache is my close companion

and nap is a stranger

where I sit at the keyboard to type inspiration

but my fingers won't budge

when the grade portal shows stinky grades for my kid

and the consequences leave us both disappointed

when I'm cranky and I know it, and so do my family and friends

when glass breaks and there are more spills

when I dramatically lay my head on the table mocking a fainting spell

when fever and vomit decide to revisit

I will not be afraid,

{Though I'm a mess on the outside (and I'm not just talking about my oversized t-shirt, sweats and day old ponytail) }

....I will not be afraid

and I am not alone

even when I'm hard to be around