Skyscraper Museum, Scott Duncan, SOMI asked my four-year-old what she wanted to be the other day. "I want to be a Science Test!" she chirped. So sweet. Happy sigh.
My 10 year old? A child who is intelligent, creative and driven. She wants to be an architect working in New York City for Uncle Scott's firm. My "Miss Precise." Uncle Scott is a Director at SOM. At 38, the youngest Director by decades. Travels around the world. Lives in a glamorous loft. Works on massive projects. Makes gigantic decisions. Has teams of people working for him.
My 8 year old? A professional chef who owns her own restaurant. Coming from a child who LOVES Top Chef. :) She is my 'chopper". My 'cooker'. My 'money sorter'. My "Miss Enthusiasm."
I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was younger. Not original, I guess. But, absolutely adored horses, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters. This was replaced during high school with my dream of becoming a reporter in Washington, D.C., followed by a strange vision of becoming a lobbyist during my college years.
I instead became a paralegal and transitioned while pregnant with my firstborn to becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom.
My days are jam-packed, just like everyone else's. Car lines, music lessons, dance, baton, preschool, church, MOPS, Girl Scouts, neighbors, friends, family, laundry, groceries, dog, vacuuming, cleaning, washing dishes.
This wasn't exactly what I was going to 'be' when I grew up. But, I am privileged to have this as my job. It is an honor to be home with my family. I try to do my "job" to the best of my ability. I have to, at the end of the day, feel that this is enough. It is enough simply to be "this" since I am now grown up.
Normally I am comfortable with this concept and satisfied with the impact I make on my family, my home and my community. But, funny, I feel a little doubt there today. It is not a feeling I like having.
So, I will return to putting away laundry, emptying the dishwasher and cleaning some baseboards. All before I get in the car lines, two today, babysit a friend's daughter, run to the store for dinner, make dinner, get everyone to dance, homework, bath, brush teeth and get into bed. And I will tell myself that this is enough. What I am doing is making a difference. 'This' is what I should be.
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