This photo was taken at the end of my very last storytime before I quit my job at the library to stay home with my son, who was 6 months old at the time. The bubbles hid my tears as I sang my last Goodbye Song to the kids and families I’d grown to love so much, but I believed in what I was doing.
The plan was to scrimp and save so that I could stay with my baby for a year or two before going back to work at the library again. During stolen moments of free time, I played the ukulele my awesome husband gave me for my first Mother’s Day. It proved to be hugely therapeutic following a loss in my family. I took up face painting as a way to work with kids, go to fun events, and make some extra income.
Although I hadn’t initially planned to go off on my own like this, my hobbies came together in the form of Wonderworks, my little entertainment business. I’m now offering musical storytimes that are better than ever, and face painting is a new love that brings me endless joy.
As it turns out, I’m not going in the same direction I thought I was. But I’m happy with the way things are shaping up all the same. Being flexible doesn’t always come naturally for me, but it’s so important. After all, it seems like almost everyone experiences some twists and turns before ending up where they’re meant to be. Which of life’s little curveballs are you currently living through? Whatever it is, I hope you end up stronger and more compassionate on the other side of it.
Wonderworks 