I have the greatest job in the world. In the last few years I have found myself unemployed twice through no fault of my own. I worked at the local Air Force Base for fifteen years before my job disappeared one day. They no longer need me or my boss. We were shown the gate as they took our contract.
Then I went to work for an oil and gas company that left town without me after two and one-half years.
I’m too young to retire and too old to hire, evidently. However, not everyone felt that way. I’m working in the legal field again after a twenty plus year hiatus. I’ve dusted off the paralegal certificate I busted my hump to get while working and raising teenagers, and I’m back in the saddle again. Part time and temporary. I’m filling in for someone on maternity leave, but have been assured they will need me now and then and maybe full time someday.
I recently felt like someone was trying to tell me something by pulling the rug out from underneath me so often. When I was down, I always fell back into my writing and I have a couple of publishing contracts. So, I think it was worth it.
However, back to the greatest job in the world; I work for the best legal team in the universe. Not that they always kick butt and take names in the courtroom (sometimes they do), but because they are the best bunch of people I have worked with in a long time. They care about each other and the people they represent. They are an eclectic bunch and as a writer I see fodder for my next novel. They love the fact that I write and applaud my efforts. My boss’s wife has even become a beta reader for me. I think I am right where I need to be. I don’t make much money, but I have time for my craft and I am practicing being retired.
A few years ago, I began to wonder what I would do if I retired with no hobbies, and writing came back around to embrace me. Now I have time for it, and I am making a go of a hobby that might make a second career (or third, or . . .).
What do you do for a living? Is it just a way to make ends meet or do you love what you do? Let me know. We’ll discuss it.
Peggy Chambers "Views from the Hammock" site 
I love that you’re so happy in the new job! You know my case, I homeschool by day and work nights, in retail. There isn’tmuch else to do at night in small-town Oklahoma … well except for jobsI won’t do. Surprise is that I actually enjoy retail most of the
time.
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It’s important to love what you do, no matter what it is!
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Love the hammock photo! (and the words: Views from the Hammock…) Just checking in here briefly in the few moments I have before I must get to bed.
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Welcome back to my world Peggy! You’re right – the legal world is, indeed, stuff novels are made of! I hope to add one more to that list eventually. While Family Law isn’t anything I would have picked or what I started out to do, I believe I am doing exactly what I’m suppose to be doing. In addition to being able to make a bad situation a little less bad for people, opportunities like teaching and authoring a Family Law book resulted from the choice. Every day is a learning experience full of writing material! Glad you found good people to work with – it sure makes a difference!
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Thanks, Shel. We practice family law too and you are right about making a bad situation a little bit better.
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Your post touched my heart. The hubs recently lost his job due to the CHK layoffs. He was one of hundreds. My work as a Realtor is tied to the community I live in. Right now we don’t know where his next job will take us or what they will mean for mine. Your post gives me faith. Thanks.
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Kristyn, I wish you both well. I’ve struggled for the last year but think I’ve finally found my niche. It took a while. Don’t give up!
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