Thankful

Today I am relishing my last day of domesticity and family calm before tomorrow brings the whirlwind of activity known as Mom's Semester. Most of my books are in. My schedule is printed and ready. I'm doing a few home projects that I know I won't have time for once I get rolling academically again, namely laundry, changing bed linens, cleaning the floors... you know, all the household fluff jobs that don't have to be done.

I'm kidding -- I know laundry is necessary, and clean sheets are a must, but I also know that I don't get to these tasks nearly often as I should when I'm in the throes of a busy semester.

Last night we had several dear friends over for steaks. I termed the night my Final Fling. I said good night to each family at the door with, "Thank you for coming -- see you in the summer!" Of course it's an exaggeration, but only by a little. It seems that all my schedule can hold while class is in session is homework and studying, classes, academic organization meetings, and family (sadly, in that order.)

It may not sound like it to the poor stranger stumbling into my blog, but I am thankful for the opportunity to be pursuing my education. Although I had a job that I liked, I am glad that we took the opportunity that presented itself five years ago to get off the double-income hamster wheel. Not that a career isn't a worthy thing for a woman to have; a career is what I'm ultimately after here. But I was working because I had to work, and our family was paying for it in stress, tight schedules, and day care tuition. Other people were raising our children so that I could continue working in a job that I pretty much stumbled into. It wasn't the career of my dreams or goals, and it finally became a cage that I was glad to escape.

Finding your calling in life and pursuing it is such an exhilarating process. And I'm aware of how fortunate I am to have the freedom to do that. Sure, the prep work (aka my education) is a long arduous process, and I'm only in the first phase of it. But each day I get out of bed, knowing that I am really living! And for that, I'm thankful. That, and these things:

I am a woman obtaining higher education. I live in a country that does not forbid its women to learn to read, or to work outside of their home. I live in a country in a stretched economic period, yet my husband has a steady job (that isn't threatened by cutbacks) that he enjoys, at which he excels, allowing me to go to school instead of work to supplement the family's income. My husband has great favor in his career, and I have great favor with my husband. I have a husband who supports me and my goals. I am married to my best friend, my biggest fan, my business partner, and the hottest guy I ever dated. I am so thankful!

My boys understand what I'm doing and support me, too. Once, when I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the studies and decisions and responsibilities taking my time away from the kids (and the guilt that comes with those things) I remember telling Nate how hard this whole college-thing was. Lucky Nate gets to hear some of my thinking-out-loud; I started running down medical career options that didn't take as big a commitment as MD does. Nate thought for a second, then asked, "But you want to be a doctor, right?" "Yes," I responded. "Then you can do it. Don't settle, Mom"

See how blessed I am? I am so thankful!

I have friends that believe in me and believe for me to journey well on this path I've chosen. Although my best friend made sniffily-sad faces a few times yesterday as we talked about the upcoming semester -- all in jest (I think) -- I know she is cheering me on. She provides a warm, safe second home to my boys when work takes dad and school takes me. She provides encouragement and a listening ear when I lament an impossibly difficult class. She prays for me, and I for her. And when the semester is done, we take at least one day, just the two of us, and play. No kids, no husbands, just girls. For her, for all my friends, and for those days with them, I am so thankful!

And tomorrow, I'll start a challenging semester of stretching my skull so that my brain can hold more. I'll be one more step closer to my undergraduate degree, medical school, and my destiny. I'll have yet another chance to meet new people, influence them well, and encourage them to be their best as I endeavor to be mine.

Yes, I'm thankful.