Chewing Pencils

A little while ago I wrote this post on the importance of keeping a balance between family life and freelancing. I still stand by everything I wrote then, but today Greg Turra left a comment that says it better than I ever could.

I thought it was worth it’s own post:

It is all too eerily familiar to me the situations you have listed. I to am a freelance illustrator. What is most important hit home earlier this year when my wife sadly and tragically passed away. Amongst all the hurt and greif, I had intense feelings of regret, for all the times I chose to work late into the evening ignoring the invitations from Meeghan to come and share a cup of coffee on the couch. I would give up illustrating with hesitation just to have her back. Family is most important. We sometimes feel obligated to put aside family to earn the money or meet a deadline to keep clients happy so as to maintain a steady influx of work. I too have two sons. Noah is four in January and Harry has just turned one. Now that I am a single father the challenge to maintain balance is even greater. I find the only time to work is at night. But should I take on too much or work too late too often, I’m often overtired and short on patience. Sadly the boys bear the brunt of my frustrations, usually consisting of a verbal tirade not equal to the alleged offence. Everyone should take note of what is written in this list because it is spot on. Unfortunately for me I realised it all after the fact.

Thanks for your words Greg. May the memory of your wife, and the love you shared, bring you and the boys some comfort in the months and years ahead.