I'd Like My Crayons Back Please

Then when you hit puberty they take the crayons away and replace them with books on algebra etc. Being suddenly hit years later with the creative bug is just a wee voice telling you, "I�d like my crayons back, please."
from Gaping Void

I was directed to this link by Eva and found some of it helpful in reminding me what I already know about creativity, but tend to forget in the hustle and bustle of my life.

In college I flitted from one creative interest to another, writing poetry, acting and taking design classes. I wore the requisite "hippy" skirts and had a closet full of slouchy boots and a box full of gigantic, jingly earrings. Nearly every boy I dated played the guitar.

After graduation, I packed up an ugly orange chair, two plants and my journal and headed to New York City. I worked for a struggling theatre company for a year before my savings was spent and it was time to figure out a way to pay for the 300 square foot apartment my boyfriend and I shared.

A friend knew of a administrative assistant position at one of the city's wealthiest law firms. She was temping there and managing to audition at the same time. The pay was unbelievable. The change crept up on me slowly, but somehow, three years later, I was wearing suits, heels and pearl earrings. I was about to graduate from NYU with a Master's degree in early childhood education. I was planning a wedding and a move to the suburbs. College-me would have choked on her ramen noodles.

Ten years later, I live in the town I grew up in. My husband and I have two beautiful (unbelievably imaginative) kids. This is the life we chose, and I cannot say that there is a thing I wish I had done differently. Shortly after my daughter was born I took a pottery class and started making jewelry again. I realize that I was finally saying "I'd like my crayons back please." And I realize that I can bring creativity to everything I do - activities with the kids, the garden, my work. And we can choose friends who value creativity as much as we do. And I bet I have some of those earrings in the back of the closet somewhere, but if not, I can always make new ones.