While reading your letter, a song came in louder than anything going on around me (complete chaos at the moment). Maybe it's because I just read an article about Ms. Marshall or maybe it's just because I don't blame you.

"Last time I saw you, you were on stage

Your hair was wild, your eyes were red

You were in a rage

You were swinging your guitar around.

Cause they wanted to hear that sound

That you didn’t want to play.

I don’t blame you.

I don’t blame you."

-Cat Power

Maybe you do want to be a lawyer or maybe there is something tugging at you to go in a different direction. I read your letter to Cary as this: "I am stressed because I am anxious about all this pressure." A lot of people feel conflicted about major life choices, don't they? Why wouldn't someone be stressed over the bar, finding their way, being "successful"? If you weren't a little freaked out, only then should you be concerned there is something wrong with you.

My initial reaction is that you will be making a substantial difference exactly because you are feeling this way. Because you didn't just glide on into easy street and even when you are there, you realize that the struggle is only beginning. That's where the gold is, in the times of great doubt and insecurity. Most of the people I admire most have suffered similarly.

Henry Rollins said "The only real security in life in insecurity" and I think it applies here. These feelings can be used to your benefit. Throughout history, some of the biggest doubters ended up being the most passionate, amazing, and I dare say, productive people. I bet you'll figure out ways to find out what that means for you. Now, where are those papers about how Jesus and Marx were similar?

Good luck LW!

"After you're admitted to the bar you can join the rest of us wondering what you want to do with your life."-altab

"The media is running a game on us. Always."

I've asked before, but it may be time to revisit some questions. What if we all stopped listening to talking heads, television, podcasts, radio and reading material about politics for a bit and only researched pure facts?

Is it that we don't have the time, we unintentionally get caught up in the dramatic or that we feel so emotional we can't reason? Is this blood sport entertaining or does it make us people anxious and create subsections in our wounded society? Some discussions can actually be educational, as a person with strong opinions (weakly held) will tell you.

Maybe we don't trust the sources of those facts?

Just trying to understand why, instead of research and clarity on the issues, some folks limit their political interactions to simple insults and overzealous rants.

"Do you think he might be on drugs?"

You are so funny sometimes. I enjoyed this, thank you!

Dear LW,

I share your distaste for those who give in to that compartmentalized thinking. I find it limiting and near-sighted.

Here is a bit of a phone conversation I had with a girlfriend, who until recently, had trouble getting pregnant:

"Tommy is driving me crazy today, I could scream, He is impossible! He teases his sisters and demolishes everything in his path! ( Insert screams, or sniffles.) I can't get anything done, I can't even think and all I want is a good night's sleep." Me

"You are so pissed off! Get a grip. You are lucky you have kids!" She

Complete silence.

This conversation exemplifies something: Experience is key. People don't know something until they are in it or have been in it, and this is true for most life experiences. We all have our own lens with which we view the world, despite our lofty ambitions to the contrary.

I have never identified myself as a mother. While this stewardship is not to be taken lightly and being a parent means that you have been entrusted with the greatest of gifts, I am no giggling "Lucy". Nurturing and caring for my children may take more time and energy than anything else while they are young, but I disagree that motherhood is a definition for a person. No matter what society we live in, people are more than the sum of their routine and responsibility and although I love my children fiercely, I have some other things going on. If you knew me you would understand that this last sentence was shared with an emphasis on abundance.

Who says you have to don those "mommy jeans" and stop caring if you brushed your teeth or not? You can be sexy and productive and amazing and if you choose, you can also be a mother. Your brain does not take a vacation while you raise your children. (Well, maybe those first few months). I wonder why you suppose you can't you have the full life you desire. Haven't you known any women who know how to orchestrate this kind of life?

That said, I think you are being presumptuous about this. You have no idea how bringing a new life into this world will pan out, if you will have completely healthy kids, if something unforseen derails your best laid plans. Motherhood is also this wild card. Alchemy is the word that comes to mind and unless you are psychic, don't even guess. It sounds as if you'll find out soon enough and I wish you the best. I would have said something similar 10 years ago when I was the greatest parent in the world and had all the answers. Then I had kids.

By the way, a big shout out to single parents.

I am humbled and amazed by you.

"Non-moms, unite!" on this topic.

And some Moms too, if you could be bothered to read.