About my thoughts
Here’s the thing: I have a lot of opinions. It’s the only child in me. A lot of time to think. Few people to cut me off. My parents once sat through a one woman reenactment of Cats with costume changes and curtains that I opened and closed myself. I grew up thinking that what I said and thought mattered. Though that’s not always true in the real world, I’ve gotten to my 40’s with my ego bruised but not shattered and find I still have a lot to say. I might not be as sure of everything as I once was but I think it’s made me better. Humbler.
I’m interested in entertainment and politics and travel and eating and just general human observation. My husband rules but we can make each other crazy. I am nowhere near where I thought I would be professionally and sometimes I feel like I missed my turn and I’m totally on the wrong path. Currently I’m just playing the hand I’ve been dealt and still figuring out how to win.
* Masthead photo: Elizabeth Clark Photography, Eugene, Oregon
in case i'm gone 
Hi Leigh!
Your letter to Loch is sooo sweet and touching. You are a great mom and fun person to be around 😉
I really like your thought “Currently I’m just playing the hand I’ve been dealt and still figuring out how to win.”
See you at school!!
So, wow, you really can write! 🙂 Thank you for letting us into your inner world. Love it all!
~Emily
love the blog! i am sorry to hear about your PH 😦 glad you are still here
Inspiring words and wisdom Leigh. Just know you are not alone in your struggles..in a society that measures “success” is such limited ways with all it’s labels. You are writing your own label of what your success is. The idea of the ideal mother, seems to imply we must lose our own identity to order to be a “good” mother. To sacrifice everything, withhold nothing and live only for our children. And then, the isolation of staying at home starts to set in, the social circle from work isn’t there anymore and you end up having the best conversations with the coffee clerk at Starbucks, and by the time your husband comes home you are so tired you can’t stand talking to anyone! It’s really, really hard. And we MUST make time to continue to develop and grow and flourish as individuals – you hit the nail on the head..you will be a better mom and wife for it. I hope the blog helps you find your way. You have amazing capacity, strength and courage, I have faith you will find what you are looking for!
Thich Nhat Hanh writes in his book Being Peace, ” We tend to be alive in the future, not now…the technique is to be in the present moment..to be aware that we are here and now, and the only moment to be alive is the present moment”. He also says that we must be more than our sorrow. “A human being is like a television set with millions of channels. If we turn sorrow on, we are sorrow. If we turn a smile on, we really are the smile. We cannot let just one channel dominate us…we have to recover our own sovereignty.”
So try and smile at your anger, frustration and sorrow. Be more than one channel!
I look forward to reading your blogs as you post.
Peace and love to you and your boys.
xoxo Anna
I read only two of your pieces, and loved every bit of them. I like the way you are writing to your kid. I hope to learn a lot from your blog.
Thank you.
You just never known what to expect from life. What I do know is that on no shoulders does God place a burden greater than you can bear. Your blog is inspiring and beautiful. I am awe-struck.
http://indiraadams.wordpress.com
I was just updating my own wordpress site when a link to yours popped up, courtesy of some wonderful algorithm. I was encouraged to find another educated, ambitious, talented woman who has discovered that being a mom is incredilbly important work. It makes me crazy that our culture makes it both isolating and competitive.
By way of encouragement: I know a woman who was given “a few weeks to live” by doctors. She immediately started packing Going-Away-to-College chests for her kids since she figured she might not be here to help them take those important steps herself. Three years later, she has successfully launched her oldest into post-secondary education and is enjoying watching her youngest finish high school. She, too, has no plans to check out any time soon.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you Judith. I love hearing those positive stories. I hope that will be me in spades. I want to be there for all of it. And you’re right about motherhood begin both isolating and competitive. It’s funny how it’s gone that way. Mother’s are always so grateful when you say, “God this is hard.” It’s like they can finally let out their breath and say, “Yes, yes it is.” It’s a relief not to have to act like it’s a breeze that you enjoy every minute of. xo leigh
Really good stuff.
Thanks!!
I love every word you write
Thanks Carol. How lovely.
xo leigh
Hi !
Congrats 🙂
I have nominated you for the “Awesome Blog Content” (ABC) Award !
Check this to know more …
http://jayati7.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/my-first-blog-award/