Moments after my kids ran out the front door for school this morning, my phone rang. The cup of coffee I’d been anxiously waiting to savour once they were gone was suddenly forgotten. A new sense of anticipation instantly overcame me, the hairs on my arms prickling with fear and excitement while the caller on the other end of the line was left to wait for me to compose myself before picking up the phone. Could this be the one that I had been waiting for? I have a purpose, I’m sure I do. I have tonnes of potential, I’m sure I do. Is this unknown caller the one who has figured it out? Is the key holder to my fourth career awaiting me on the other end of the line? Aware that time waits for no-one, no matter what their state of mind, state of finance, or state of desperation, I made haste to lift the receiver from the cradle.
My children were hoping for me to get a “cool job.” Imagine the playground bragging rights they would own if they could say mommy works for the professional sports team in town, or at the coolest theme park. Or maybe I could work in their school. Thankfully, they are well balanced enough to actually think that would be cool, too.
My husband would be thrilled for me to get a job again. Really, any job will do. He understands the social interaction that accompanies employment and embraces the fact that I thrive on social interaction. Really, when you look at the situation through his eyes, the more I get the opportunity to interact and socialize with other people, the less need I feel to fill every waking moment of our precious evening hours together with pointless drivel about how I rearranged the Tupperware cupboard that day.
And me? My state of mind is sharp, my state of finance is stable, and my state of desperation varies depending on how long I’m kept from my morning cup of coffee. The thought of coffee snaps me back to the reality of the phone approaching my ear as my hand lifts it subconsciously from the receiver. “Hello?” On the other end of the line is the sweet voice of my dear friend, “Shall we walk and talk?” I met Maria a year ago. Our children attend school together, we’re on the PTA together, and we’re both well-educated moms out to make a difference in the lives of our kids and our community. “A walk and talk would be fabulous. Let’s meet in an hour.” I felt the wave of anticipation leave my body with a sudden rush, leaving an empty sense of discontentment to fill the void. I was looking forward to a good heart to heart chat with a close friend; it helps soothe the social beast in me. But it wasn’t the phone call I had hoped for.
Career number four is still eluding me. Being of sharp mind, I want to use it. Being of stable finances (thanks to a successful and supportive husband), I want to find the right career. And being desperate, well, I have coffee for that.
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