Cracked Days, Golden Moments

How one terrible week at work turned into a quiet reflection on fatherhood, faith, and French fries

Work this week? Brutal.

One of those “everything that could go wrong, did” kind of weeks. I couldn’t seem to catch a break, no matter what I tried. It’s the kind of week that makes you rethink the 9-to-5 grind entirely.

There’s a lot I want to build this year—big goals, fresh starts—but powering through the daily sludge is real. It’s not just the tasks. It’s the emotional toll of giving so much to something that doesn’t feel like it’s mine.

That drained feeling? Not just me.

So many American salaried workers live this tension. Add kids into the mix, and things get even more complicated. You want to be emotionally available, but you don’t want to burden your child. You don’t want to snap because of work pressure, but you also want your kid to grow up understanding feelings are safe.

👶

But Then There’s Jasper

After those long, draining days—Jasper brings me back.

There’s nothing better than picking him up for a hug or going on a walk. The joy in his eyes reminds me what’s actually important. Not Slack messages. Not spreadsheets. Just him. Just us.

🛕 Temple Stop + 🎡 Fair Firsts

Saturday began with a quiet stop at our regular temple to drop off some paper towels for Sunday’s picnic and offer a short prayer. A grounding start—grateful for how far we’ve come, and hopeful for what’s ahead.

Then, we hit the local fair.

It was Jasper’s first round of fair French fries, and he was all in. His mom won him a Baby Shark stuffed animal at the balloon dart game, and watching his eyes light up was pure gold. No rides for him just yet, but people-watching? 10/10 toddler entertainment.

🍟 Dinner + Dessert with Family

That night, Jasper had a cozy dinner with his great aunt Lori and his grandparents.

More fries. More ketchup. And the grand finale? Tiramisu. Let’s just say—he’s now a fan. To be honest, that dinner hit all the right notes: good food, great family, and a lot of smiles.

🎉 Sunday Picnic Vibes

Our temple hosted a big picnic on Sunday, and it was everything.

Fruit, Indian food, pizza, music, games—and a whole lot of community warmth. Jasper had so much fun, he didn’t nap until almost 4 p.m. after we left. He swung on the swings, giggled, explored… and in that moment, so did I.

We didn’t stress the week that was. We just dreamed about the week that could be.

✨ Closing Thought

Some weeks pull you under. But then moments with your child, a shared meal, or a swing under the sky bring you back to the surface.

The work? It’ll always be there. But the joy? That’s what you fight to protect.

Thanks for reading,

– David