Finding Reasons To Smile

Our pet goldfish swam contentedly in a bowl placed on the table by the window adorned with heavy curtains. Nearby, my mother, who always wore a gentle smile and wished for our happiness, advised me to find joy in life.

However, my father's struggles persisted, leading him to direct his anger towards my mother and me. This happened a few times every week, as his towering 6-foot-2 frame couldn't contain the turmoil he battled internally. Despite his turmoil, my mother's advice held true: seeking happiness was the better path.

"Find reasons to smile," my mother encouraged me, emphasizing the importance of joy. She, too, tried to find happiness amid her own challenges. Occasionally, she'd ask, "Why don't you smile more?" Her question was accompanied by a smile meant to show me how, although it felt more like a somber gesture to me.

In moments when my father returned home, his anger was unleashed. He discarded the lifeless bodies of five goldfish onto the kitchen floor, leaving them for the cat to claim. My mother maintained her smile despite the somber scene. Those fish had met their end, their eyes open, afloat on the water's surface.