ListenUp | 10/29/2009 7:00 am
Rejoining the Workforce, by Francine LaGraffe
Editor’s Note: With a BFA from Syracuse University, Francine LaGraffe began her work life as an artist and interior designer. Along with marriage to her husband of 36 years and two children came a variety of part-time jobs from an associate publisher of a trade magazine, administrative assistant, office manager in a hardware store and editor of a monthly newspaper to a partner in a family food and entertainment business. She and her family have lived in one of the coldest and snowiest parts of upstate New York and in the hottest and driest parts of the Southwest, Phoenix, AZ. Francine enjoys reading, solving mysteries, the theater, cooking and, in an effort to be well rounded, talks a lot about doing more exercise.
Like many women, I frequently felt "less than" when I did not have a paying job. Now, in my 50s, that feeling has abated. I feel feisty — "Exactly whose life is this anyway? Mine!" I share this life with my husband of 35 years. He just joined the 6.8 million unemployed in this country when the company he worked for closed their Scottsdale, AZ, office. Through the years, I have worked part time in our various entrepreneurial ventures, but I have not contributed any money solely on my own initiative. I want to take some of the worry and burden away from him. However, this is not all altruism; I am itching to explore the strengths that I have discovered in myself. I am creative and love to do research. What I am trying to figure out is how to put my talents to work.
Where have I heard these words before? Everywhere! I am part of a huge herd, a stampede. Even before the financial crisis, droves of boomers were searching for meaning in their next career. Wait a minute; I have not even had a first career except that of mother, wife and family manager. Let me be clear: I am a happy, optimistic person who does not regret my choices in life. In fact, there are many advantages to being a one-income family. We all learned to live within our means and actually did save some money — several months’ salary — for those unexpected bumps in the road. Now, to smooth the road ahead and for all my own reasons, it is time to rejoin the world of work.
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5 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment
I was taken out of the workforce in 2002, I had a gran maul seizure and lost my 15 year teaching career in 24 hours. Its been difficult, my seizure’s break through medication so they can only control them as long as my body accepts the medication. Longest 5 months, so I have been home and not of my choosing and my husband decided to buy me this chocolate lab. I never wanted! Clancy (dog’s name) is a hot mess and kept me on my toes, hes flooded the house, believe me I could go on. This has a point, one day Clancy was asleep on the couch next to me, and I started writing. I had never written any thing in my life and this story flew out! I read it and it was the same thing I had read to Kindergarten for years. I have now written 5 books and Clancy has been in the paper and invited to visit the schools and share his story. Another remarkable thing, Clancy can tell before I have a seizure and warns my husband.
I never thought this would happen, image the dog I didn’t want has allowed me to share a talent that will allow me to go back into a classroom! I never thought that would happen. I was depressed and didn’t want Clancy however he saved my life, I never had time to be depressed because he was eating me out of house and home! He has really been a blessing being able to warn Rick about my seizures, it’s all been a gift I never wanted.
In the middle of all the excitement I was diagnosed with cancer, I’m only mid 40’s, if I have to deal with cancer "bring it on!"
We are strong women! With many talents and I refuse to let cancer or seizures take away my spunk! I feel like I can do anything! I read a Erma Bombeck poem, "If I had to live my life over…..I would dust less and listen more etc.
I rewrote that to fit my life and I’m living it out!
If I had to do my life over I would have eaten ice cream out of the carton in my underwear!
I would eat cheeseburgers on the good china in the living room!
etc. Why waste our time sweating things we have no control over? I am living every day to the fullest and I refuse to waste a moment! Nope I’m not giving my moments up to anyone or any disease.
Its all over when its over, if you’re breathing you have work to do, I am volunteering and they offered me a job, I can’t commit due to health but I can still volunteer and what a compliment to be asked. I never applied it just happened.
Everyone I know is in their 50’s and what a great age! I signed my husband up for AARP 15 mins after he turned 50! I love discounts! I wish you well in the work force, anyone would be lucky to have you!
Hi Bobbie,
It is so good of you to take the time to write. I love dogs and have had two Labs. I love Clancy, "the hot mess," already and I’m glad that your husband decided to get you the dog even though you didn’t want it. Sometimes people who love us and know us well, understand things about ourselves that we do not easily grasp.<!—break—> The two dogs I have now, Buffy and Max, are rescue mutts with no special talents save the ability to make me laugh when I need it most.
I admire you and will consider you a kindred spirit. Keep up the good work. I too love Erma Bombeck’s outlook on life, but there are no do-overs… only one life to a customer. It is Fall, there is excitement and promise in the air and I’m with you looking foward to what is around the corner for each of us.