Wednesday, October 1, 2008

A Two-Fold Blessing

Terri Tiffany posted about Living Your Miracle today, and asked her readers if, in essence, they're following their dream and living their blessings to their fullest potential. Her words, which are always profound and inspirational, got me thinking in depth about just that.

I recognize how blessed I am to be able to stay home with our daughters. From the time we married, I knew that's what I would eventually want - and misterwrites agreed. That he felt the same was a blessing in and of itself, because I don't know how many men take that traditional stance today, but that he continues to support this mutual decision we made so long ago is awesome.

And what's even cooler? That I get to pursue this thing called writing all-the-while.

To my mind, these two aspects of my life fit so well together. Not only am I able to focus on my kids without the stress of a full-time job outside the home, but my care for them creates so much creative opportunity. Our bond, our interactions, all those day-to-day things I get to witness firsthand - it all goes into the files of my mind. But not just my memory banks, where I treasure the things that make up my life as a mother. It also affects my writer's brain, gives me fodder and experience to draw from when it comes to creating on paper. So much of writing is about emotion and inflection, communication and interaction, and all those things are HUGE in my world as a mom.

I love how I can see connections, how it all ties together. I am truly blessed.

How about you? Do you live your blessings and follow your dreams? Are they connected?

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Me too! Me too! Mr. Turkey and I waited for 7 years before we could afford for me to stay home. Best decision we ever made. The writing thing is just a bit of icing on the cake. :)

Joanne said...

Every day. I stayed home with my girls, too, and wouldn't trade a day of it. You're right, it is all human experience that informs our writing. And the writing with all the rest is my life.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Does it matter that I'm doing this without children (yet)? What you have is my goal, although I will need to help out with freelancing. I was raised by babysitters starting when I was an infant and I've always said I won't do that to my kids.

Janna Leadbetter said...

I'm so glad, Turkey. There are few things I find as important.

Yes, Joanne! A much more concise way to put it: human experience. :)

Janna Leadbetter said...

Not at all, Mel - you're practicing! ;) And I think you freelancing will just add another element to the picture. I used to imagine contributing with freelance writing while at home, but my goals have led me to those bigger projects (novels) that don't pay until much later. :)

4 Life said...

I'm a playwright by day, mom by afternoon, wifemom come evening! I am blessed and living the high life! Bliss all over the place!
Cher

Angie Ledbetter said...

I stayed home with my 3kidlets too. Maybe some of that "isolation" moms of a bunch of young 'uns experience fuels the desire to write & communicate? I've always loved writing and have a degree in Journalism, but the SAHM years just added to the desire to create through the written word.

Barb Davis said...

I have been so blessed. I got to stay home and raise six children over a period of many years. I thank God everyday for giving me exactly what I wanted out of life.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Cheryl, thanks for coming by and commenting! And I love that you used the word "bliss" - my novel is called Bliss Lake, and I keep seeing that word creep up. I think it's a good thing. :)

Kudos, Angie and Barbara! I'm happy with my decision, too.

Anonymous said...

I'm enjoying my time at home too. I didn't think I would. I'm used to working and having too busy a schedule; however, a little "down" time has been great for me and has enabled me to explore the new and exciting world of blogging. It's been a real blessing for me.

Joshua said...

the best way I have found to live my dreams and blessings is to keep them simple. While I my not have the exact love I want(true love), I do have love(from friends and family). Life is grand :)

Anonymous said...

Life is indeed grand. As crazy and hetic and my life is, I wouldn't trade it for the world! I am blessed many times over.

-Heather

Janna Leadbetter said...

the domestic fringe - any advice on how to get MORE "down" time? ;)

Josh - You said it, bub.

Heather, yay! *hugs*

Melissa Amateis said...

Your love for your children and your life (and your husband!) just shines through in this post. Beautiful!

I hope to go the part-time route someday as staying at home isn't an option right now. I did get to stay home with my daughter through my pregnancy and until she was 3 years old, though, so that was a true blessing!