On Gratitude … and Deadlines

Last Thursday, I unexpectedly found myself getting emergency surgery. I’m still on the mend but, thanks to a great medical team, should be back to normal in a week or two.

When I got home from the hospital several days later and walked into our little house where we can look out at tall trees, deer and bunnies, I was flooded with gratitude. I was still here, my husband and four children had been wonderful, and my father was ready to help keep them busy so I could get some rest (albeit, at my laptop). The other family members and friends who knew what happened were ready with offers to assist. Every colleague and client I contacted had been amazingly flexible, giving me a chance to get some rest when I needed it. Elizabeth had offered to step in for me if I needed help. The freelance writers working on projects for me went out of their way to be accommodating. I was flooded with a sense of how lucky I am to have so many terrific people in every area of my life.

As I lay in the hospital bed, I thought about how glad I was that I had made the choice to be a freelancer almost five years ago. We can’t control unexpected events, like a sudden, life threatening medical problem–and that’s scary. But by choosing the freelance route rather than a corporate one, I haven’t been forced to prioritize making a living over things that are ultimately more important to me. I’ve been able to have a life where people come first — yet I can still do creative and rewarding work (including what I do on the $200K Freelancer!) and, with my husband, pay the bills. It was nice to realize that–when given a powerful reminder of how life can change in an instant–I have no regrets about how I’ve been spending my time on this planet of ours. Freelancing has brought me a life I don’t want or need to “reboot.”

 

 

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2 comments


  1. admin

    Hi Yana. Thank you for your well wishes and offer of help. I just had my post-op and fortunately, I’m doing really well. I was even able to make it to the park with my kids yesterday, with a friend’s help. Elizabeth and I really appreciate your positive feedback and welcome your thoughts and suggestions on how we can make the blog more useful to you. Best regards, Elaine

  2. Dear Elaine,

    Hope you are feeling better now.
    I read your blog quite for a long time, and I want to thank you for that amazing job you do here together with Elizabeth.
    I’d be happy to help you, so if I can do something for you, let me know.
    All the best to you and your family!