One of the best things about summer is having all my kids home.
One of the worst things about summer is having all my kids home.
Honestly, I can hardly type that second line without mommy-guilt spilling onto the keyboard. But summertime does pose a different schedule than what I'm used to with college-boy floating in and out between his work shifts, high school senior son working/practicing soccer/hanging around and third-grade daughter keeping them both in line.
My college sophomore son told me he spends most of his hours at work dreaming about his passion. As a jazz guitar major, he'd much rather be home composing music than scooping ice cream at a resort. But he understands that keyboards, drum machines and mixing boards cost money, so he's working a job he loathes to further a career he loves. He asked me the other day if I felt bad for not working on my novel much lately.
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| My son--the musician |
"Well, I am published, just not fiction," I clarified. As a freelance writer, I've published hundreds of articles, but he was referring to my manuscript(s). "Yes, I'd love to be a novelist, but right now I have to think about what's best for our family. Working a writing job where I'm paid now as opposed to working on my novel which might pay me later has taken precedence."
He nodded in understanding and I went on to explain the similarities between his situation and mine. While we both have dreams of being someplace else career-wise, we're devoted to what has to be accomplished right now.
Later that evening as I heard him upstairs playing his newly-purchased keyboard--which took about 90 hours of manual labor to purchase--I decided it was the perfect time for me to open up my manuscript and start writing ... the story I'm dreaming of seeing published.
Oh, I can relate! Great post!
ReplyDeleteAnd of course you have your Greek chorus standing in the wings reminding you we won't let you forget either dream--the now and the future. You know our names. :)
ReplyDeleteYou go, Pamela! I find that being a writer offers some very valuable "teaching moments." When we write, especially when we write a novel, we show tenacity, patience, dedication, persistence. I often tell my kids about highs and lows of my writer-life . . . how I felt when I pitched my novel at conferences, how I felt when so-and-so agent didn't get back to me, how I felt when I finally DID get an agent. You, through all of your writing, are such a great role model for your kids. Can't wait to buy your book some day.
ReplyDeletesarah
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Thanks, Joan and Julie. My lovely cheerleaders and the best writing buddies one could hope for.
ReplyDeleteSarah,thanks for stopping by our blog. Yes, I worry at times about balance--life, kids, work, play. But I do think my children see me plugging away and know what it takes to achieve something you really want.