What jobs have you had?

At fifteen years of age, I started my first job. In the US, you have to get parental permission for a working permit.

I used to go door to door selling the paper! My mother hated the idea of that, and asked me to quit, in which case I was paid extra for household chores she would normally do. (Cleaning the oven, ceiling fan, etc)

After high school, I earned a certification in networking, and started my first job as an administrative assistant. Afterwards, I was a librarian assistant for about three years. Then I worked at a local flower shop for a time.

Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with systemic lupus around the age of twenty with my first child. I was married at the time, so I was allowed to stay home.

After my second child (my only girl), the symptoms became worse. By the time I was 23, I had a pulmonary embolism in my right lung. My family encouraged me to stay home, my ex husband was worried I would die and asked the same of me.

So I haven’t had a real job since 2010. I wasn’t very happy about that, even though I had plenty of money from family and my ex. A good friend recommended I write books, and even helped me launch my career in a way.

Since then I haven’t looked back.

My favorite job is being a mother, second to that…illustrating and writing. I guess it isn’t work if it’s fun, but I’ve been told countless times over how much of an inspiration I am. Even close friends have told me so.

In 2017, I was hospitalized with ten pulmonary embolisms, five in each lung. And a massive clot was found by my heart. At the time, I was working for Lyft and making really good money. The father of my younger boys, however, was the major cause for my health issues. And even after he saw how fragile I was, he still insinuated I should work.

This was around the time I realized I had money to my name, in which case he pleaded that I sell a portion of it. He was a drug addict – the amount he asked me for would have been gone in a month. I did no such thing, so he claimed I was lazy and spoiled.

When really, I am sickly…and the one with all the money.

I think it’s great if you’re working and happy. I don’t think it’s great if you’re barely making ends meet. I also think it’s insane to make six figures and not have time for anything else.

The best work is volunteering your time to help others. No matter what you’re doing. Even if it’s reading books for children at your local library.