That filed away in my mind, fast forward to today. I was sweeping under the furniture and directing children to fold laundry and set the table. Some of my best thinking happens while I'm doing mundane tasks around the house or yard.
I thought back to that interview and imagined what it would be like to meet her personally. Would I feel on even footing with an international star? Would she have as much respect for me as she would expect from me? I have not been easily dazzled by public figures. They sometimes disappoint me in the integrity or common sense departments. I like to view people as children of God no matter what their station or position in life. That equalizes all of us.
I wondered if she would say she was blessed with extraordinary talent or worked harder than anyone else to become so expert. I wondered if there are hundreds or thousands of other singers just as talented but less known, or unknown because they focused their energy on other pursuits.
I imagined a dialogue with this personality. I described myself. "I am a pretty terrific mother. I've worked hard to become so." I searched around in my mind to find a description to justify my equality with her achievement and I said something so profoundly enlightening to myself that I stopped sweeping and straightened up: "I don't think I'm important because I am a mother. I am a mother because Motherhood is so important."
Everything we endeavor to do could be guided by the question, "Why is this an important thing to do?" The answer could be, "This is not very important." or "This is important because it brings me joy or brings joy to others." or "This is an ordinary thing but it just has to be done" or "This is will change the world in amazing ways!" We do change the world with everything we do. Every action increases good or beauty in the world or decreases it.
There are many good things to be and do. I hope you will find many ways to use your talents, gifts and interests. For me, being a mother has been my top "job." It doesn't pay well. It isn't glamorous. No one has interviewed me because of my great achievements in parenting. I have hard days. I make mistakes. But, I couldn't be more proud of any other job. Bringing a life into this world, nurturing it, loving it and guiding it is the most significant vocation I could have chosen.
"Thanks for the lovely visit, Barbra. If you'll excuse me, I've got to get this floor clean before dinner!"
