"Holding Hands with Small Children"

Smiling people,
Passing by-
Gawking, 
Staring.
Others make no effort
-To smile-
Just 
Strangely watching.
 
I hold my smile-
Polite and steady.
Sometimes forced,
Sometimes genuine.
Always aware,
Making sure 
It is there.
 
Life with small children.
It's own event.
They are curious;
They are cute;
They are my biggest challenge.
 
I am struggling
To keep them safe;
I am struggling
To keep them happy;
I am struggling
To keep them healthy-
It is my hardest job.
 
The smiling people,
Some know,
Some understand.
Different smiles:
Sympathy smiles,
Amused smiles, 
Sincere smiles,
Nostalgic smiles, 
And cautious ones too.
Words might follow,
From those who remember, 
Some kind advice.
 
But still I struggle,
And still I smile-
Existing in limbo
Between them.
Between smiles,
Between struggles,
Between children.
I smile.