Happy mother's day, mom of 6.

I now have a job at a plant nursery. I asked around in January and February, got the job in April. I'm happy to inform you that your parenting skills are also good ones for working with plants. You care for plants just like children, by focusing on them and checking for the dirt. Only this time, if they have soggy pants you leave them alone.

This is not a highly-paid job. But it's a step into the work world for me. You have the personal skills and the ability to focus on others' needs that is great in so many fields. You could also start by volunteering in an area that interests you. I volunteered at a hospital. With volunteering, they try to take care of you and let you feel needed, but I must say I still felt insecure sometimes, and like a second class citizen behind those who get paid. BUT, I saw whether I'd like working with sick people. It turns out that I'm too introverted for that. I like plants and dirt a lot better! And paint. And food prep and even cleanup. And even customer assistance.

Then we have to get the nuts and bolts part of it. I could take small business courses. I could take painting classes. I could get a CNA certificate. I had a subsitute teaching license that was easy to get, but I suck at teaching and paperwork.

When it's your time to go out and find your way, you will do it.

I still get these blues all the time. I have to go do things that kill the pain--things I like to do. I still think about how I'd like to be "done being a wife," but while I'm processing that and seeing whether it's true, I have a little something of my own to do, that I get paid for.

Sorry for your loneliness and isolation. I still have that to deal with too. Work is like a break from that.

Okay? You can make it.