If it came down to a conscious choice for you, fellow writing mommyfolk, which would win?Writing, or Life?
I happened upon this post by another blogging word-loving mom, Gina who hosted a giveaway during 5 Minutes for Mom's Ultimate Blogging Party last week (which I won - believe me, I'm more shocked than you are; my lifetime allowance of luck was spent on May 22, 1992, the night Knute and I met).
Gina, whose blog is lovely (go check out Portrait of a Writer...Interrupted when you have a moment), talks about surrendering her writing for the sake of her family. If you have the writing calling and are juggling life with weefolk, you'll understand her perspective.
For those of us who feel that our gift with words is truly a Gift, something to honor and respect and ultimately, to give back to the world, the calling that is writing is a demanding one. It hearkens this quote from Luke 12:48 :
And unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required: and to whom they have committed much, of him they will demand the more.
While I take seriously my ability to string words and ideas together like a necklace of pearls, I don't let writing rule me or my life.
One, I'm an optimist, remember? While I'm mindful of the passage of time, I'm not frantically trying to pack an entire lifetime of events by the time I'm forty. Racing is for running; life is for living.
Two, the job of ruling my life is no longer currently available. That position is held by the threesome known here as The Royal Monkeys. And that's just fine with me.
Just as it says in Luke 12:48, I have been given much in them, much more than I ever imagined or believed I deserved, flawed human that I am. And so I will do my best by them and for them, so that one day Knute and I may give them to the world. They are my finest work.
The need to write will never leave me, but for now I can let it be.
For now.
And on that note, I will be absent from this blog for a few days; my dear Princess Pinky has a date with one of the best darn surgeons in the country on Monday to fix her eardrum. Your prayers for a successful surgery and recovery are greatly appreciated by all of us here at Casa de Monkeys.
WM
Thanks for sharing my story with your readers. I think I'm still learning that lesson. While I've come a long way I still have long to go. I still spend way to much time on my computer (its my escape from my crazy life) but I see a big writing sabbatical ahead for my future. I'm hoping by summer I'll have my WIP to the agents I promised it to and then I'll be able to get my house back in order. I wish I could be more consistent about this parenting writing thing. Guess I'm still learning!
ReplyDeletea big amen to this post. life trumps writing and blogging, especially, when you have little ones. I'll be praying for your girl too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this, it's a great reminder for many of us. I'll remember your daughter in our prayers.
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