Focus on the Whole Me

I started my new job today. I was so excited when I got home so I could tell my family how well it went. I love my new position and all the people that I met at the company. So, I sit down at dinner all happy to talk about my day, when my dad asked "So, were there any single guys there?" Are you serious? I have fabulous opportunities to tell you about. I want to tell you how much I love my new job and all you care about is whether there is a guy there that I may possibly meet, fall in love with, marry and have children with! Of all the things that you could have asked about the position, the people, the place you decide that the focus should be on whether there is a love interest there. As if the job is worthless unless there is a potential boyfriend there. I was so frustrated. I feel like this was a good step in my career. It was my first day back to work after a two month illness. And it wasn't meaningful to my parents because I told them that I work with all women.

It seems that finding a mate is more important to others than it is to me. I didn't think about my single status ALL day while at work. I was happy. I met new friends. I was satisfied with my education and career choices (something I haven't been satisfied with for a long time). Not one person at work inquired about my marriage status. So, it didn't cross my mind that I was unmarried while at work. It didn't matter to anyone there and therefore felt like I fit in and was part of the group. Then to come home and be judged by my own family for my singledom just made me want to cry. Can a woman get anything accomplished career wise without having a man by her side or will her career always be looked over to focus on the fact that she is unaccomplished in her personal life? Why does society put the emphasis on relationship status for women and on career for men?

I wish that people would realize that it is not my job to seek out a new mate every second of the day. The fact is that even if there was an available man at work, I wouldn't even notice cause when I am at work I am focused on just that....work. I don't have time to flirt or chit chat with a new beau...I have fifteen children to care for and keep safe. I am good at educating the children and families in my class and I will not apologize for that just because I am single. I shouldn't have to cause that shouldn't be the focus of me. I am many-faceted with a great personality. Being single is a part of me but it is not the whole me.