This summer is kicking my A-double-dollar-signs. I've finally accepted that, embraced it and...Oh. Look. Now we are already into August and we only have a few weeks until school starts again.
I don't talk much about my personal life here...privacy and respect for my family and all of that. But I have three school-aged kids. When my daughter hit full-day kindergarten age, my husband gave me that look. Don't get me wrong, my husband is totally and completely supportive of my writing dreams. But let's face it. Real life requires an actual income. His look (and our finances) said collectively, "We need something to happen here quick, or you need to get a real job."
I considered my options. On one hand, I was once a practicing lawyer. (A lawyer with a mountain of make-up CLE credits and licensing requirements that is simply too high to climb.) I've also created a platform for myself as an author. A platform that boldly admits a kooky passion in the paranormal and teaches creatives to find inspiration in ghost hunting. The real job window was closing quick if it hadn't already. I'd already waved my freak-flag too high. I flung myself into the "make something happen with this writing thing quick" option.
On a wing and a prayer, I declared myself a working writer. I hung out my shingle as a freelance editor, and my reputation and client list has since grown. I recently took on my first ghost writing assignment, and I couldn't be more thrilled with how it is moving along.
Except that there aren't enough hours in the day. Kids on summer vacation means that I am more than anything else, a "stay-at-home-mom." Most days, I feel like I am less of a mom and more like an uber driver that has to serve lunch and do laundry. And when the biggest soccer tournament of the year schedules multiple matches during what is the normal workday for everyone else, I am also the one everyone calls for the carpool rides. Good thing I love to watch my kids play soccer with their friends!
As a result, my writing time is precious and limited. But, I have clients! People are counting on me! Not to mention, my family still needs that additional income. Whether they are my words or someone else's, I don't have a choice but to carve out time and make the words happen wherever and whenever I can. The end of the day isn't always an option. After sitting through soccer matches in unyielding heat, combined with the aforementioned uber driving/serving lunch/laundry commitments...when darkness finally falls, most days, my brain is too tired to think straight.
The solution? Lots of early mornings. And last week, I boldly walked into the local swimming pool, grasping my precious laptop. I found a picnic table in the shade. I knew I would get judgmental stares. The "tsk, tsk" looks that say, "You should be enjoying these moments with your kids." But honestly, I was too busy to notice or care.
Because really, I've enjoyed plenty of moments with my kid(s). Remember? The soccer matches in the hot sun? I loved being there to watch. I love that my "job" gives me the flexibility to do that. On this day, though, my kids needed to enjoy a summer day in the water and I needed to work more than I needed a suntan. They really don't need me to play with them, they have each other. They do need me to set an example. I hope, that they will see and learn that sometimes, following our dreams isn't pretty. Sometimes, following our dreams means sacrifice and hard work. And as it turned out? Those two, pool-side hours were the most productive, concentrated chunk of time in my entire week. For that, I was grateful.
