Is There Life Out There?

This morning my mother-in-law came over to watch the kids so I could run a few errands in peace and quiet. As I was driving along listening to the radio, an old song by Reba McEntire came on. I started singing along and by the time I’d reached the chorus, I was in tears.

Is there life out there?
So much she hasn’t done.
Is there life beyond her family and her home?
She’s done what she should, should she do what she dares?
She doesn’t want to leave she’s just wonderin’ is there life out there.

In a nutshell, it’s a song about a gal who married young and focused on raising her family. As time marched on, she found herself wondering not only if she had made the right choices in her life but also if perhaps there was something more she was missing out on. Was it finally time for her to put everyone else’s needs aside and start living up to her true potential?

It’s hard to put a finger on why this particular song struck such a chord with me. Part of it is because being a stay-at-home mommy to my seven-month-old and two-year-old is stressful. Part of it is probably because the baby still wakes up multiple times a night and I’m sleep deprived. Part of it is likely due to the fact that I went from being a writer/editor to a lady that spends hours at the park and now knows several Nick Jr. cartoon theme songs and more nursery rhymes than Mother Goose herself.  And let’s face it, hormones probably played a role as well.

Disclaimer: I’m not complaining…at least I’m trying not to. I know how lucky I am to be able to stay home with my kids and witness all of the milestones firsthand. And there’s no one on the planet that I would rather have raising my children but me.  However, I do miss writing a great story, coming up with a good, creative marketing piece, and interacting with business professionals every once in a while.

I often joke with my mommy friends that my IQ has dropped several points since I stopped working. But I have to remember that a Forest Gump-esque existence is not without its own beauty. Kidding aside, I need to channel my creativity into practical avenues. I can write blog posts or actually work on the children’s books I’ve been thinking about putting together for the past few months. Bottom line, I can still be a great mom to my kids AND use my brain. Who knew?

In the meantime, I need to remind myself that while yes, there is life out there full of opportunities and great prospects, it will all be there waiting  for me when the kids get a little older and don’t need me as much anymore.

Have I reached my full potential? Not even close. But I still have time. And while I may not be wearing my writing/editing/marketing/advertising hat now, I will don it again one day soon.

Being a mom has given me a newfound level of patience and love and another layer of perspective that will come in handy down the road in whatever pursuits lie ahead.  I can have the best of both worlds. I just have to be patient. But regardless of where my career path takes me, my crowning achievements—my best work—will always be my children.