<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re the provider and protector, at least that\u2019s what\u2019s expected,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bringing home the bacon and shielding them from danger,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No rest for the weary when precious lives are on the line,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The missus and the little ones counting on you time after time,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Comes with the territory, Sonny, you were bred for working,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Made tougher, naturally, to keep the world turning,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No time for worry and self-pity, chasing happiness is folly,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was never yours to claim, as they say, at least not beyond temporarily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She leans on you to keep that roof overhead, to ensure the kids stay fed, to pay bills and keep you miles ahead,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Young eyes look to you as superman, if it needs fixing, Daddy got it,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The coolest guy, their hero and best mate, their guide and teacher, a jack of all his trades,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Might feel overwhelming but there\u2019s no hiding from it,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t let \u2018em catch you blubbering when times are trying, sack up and get going,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knees can\u2019t be buckling when you\u2019re holding the foundations,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From that your value stems, from what you do for \u2018em,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But you\u2019re only human, flesh and blood,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Capable of feeling, not a mindless robot,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be unbreakable is admirable, hard work is admired,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what of your own peace of mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You, too, deserve the sun\u2019s warmth,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To pause and take a breath in the midst of this crazy world,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re going to carry the load for them you better shake off excess burdens,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You better be functioning proper, they need you at optimum levels,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And you\u2019d be remiss to dismiss the challengers with which they\u2019re grappling,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone\u2019s got their battles, some you can\u2019t fight for \u2018em<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She carried your legacy, birthed them nine months later,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trod that path twice more, a journey you\u2019ll never know,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She\u2019s keeping house while you\u2019re hustling, the primary caregiver of young lives,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And she\u2019s at it, too, while on her own nine-to-five,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Theirs might be smaller fires, you\u2019d worn their shoes previously,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You and her can guide \u2018em through the heat, but the hose is in their hands, boots on their feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Props to you if you can ease their troubles, but show up, too, for yourself,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You ain\u2019t nothing if you\u2019re a mess, how the hell are you supposed to help?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seek help if needed, no need to bottle it,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A best friend or a sibling, maybe even your parents,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if she notices your\u2019re bothered, by all means inform her,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unions guaranteed to crumble once you start keeping secrets,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But be wary of dumping it all on her, don\u2019t make them her problems,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your demons ain\u2019t her battle, gotta shield her, too, from them,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your role is to protect and provide, ensure theirs are easier lives,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s just life, Brother, only the strong survive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
You\u2019re the provider and protector, at least that\u2019s what\u2019s expected, Bringing home the bacon and shielding them from danger, No rest for the weary when precious lives are on the line, The missus and the little ones counting on you time after time, Comes with the territory, Sonny, you were bred for working, Made tougher, … <\/p>\n