Changes and Perspectives

Big changes are a-coming to the Sullivan family, and to Sullivan & Sullivan.  Now that the changes are official, and effectively only two weeks away, it's time to bring them to Chasing Shade.

On March 7, 2011, I will leave my offices at S&S and begin working as an Assistant District Attorney in the Appeals Division of the Essex County District Attorney in Salem, Massachusetts.

As most of you know, I've worked part-time since graduating from law school, primarily in order to be a mostly at-home mom.  Now that my youngest is in 6th grade, it's time for a change, for all of us.  Time for my kids to see what a full-time working mother looks like, for them to appreciate me And themselves by becoming more independent, and time for me to explore a (relatively) solo career.

I'm Extremely excited about my new venture, though sad about leaving S&S.  On the plus side, I will be doing the type of lawyering that I most enjoy -- writing and arguing the law in front of judges (versus a jury), without worrying about acquiring clients or choosing among litigation strategies.  On the other plus side, I will have a different boss (Jon Blodgett, PU Class of '73), a different client (the Commonwealth of MA), a different office (in Witch City -- come visit any time other than Halloween), and different vacation limits (some vs. none!).

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been gradually telling my family and close friends about the New Job.  Most of their responses have been Overwhelmingly Positive.  Some have been surprising, and a few outright strange (N.B. Some response, even a weird one, is better than none at all....).  To remember the varied reactions, I've memorialized some of the highlights (and low lights) from the responses here (don't forget: these are my close friends and family .....!):

Top Ten Responses to CPS's New Job:

#10:  "Wow!  Those jobs are really hard to get; who did you know to get that job?"
#9:  "Oh my gosh, and I'm just starting to do everything I can to Stop working full time!"
#8:  "That's great, but why do you think I had child # (fill in the blank)?"
#7:  "Wow.  I can't wait to hear what you think a year from now when you realize how hard it is."
#6:  "I just heard that JFK's grandson is an ADA somewhere on Cape Cod."
#5:  "How long have you been married?  This job is going to be good for your marriage."
#4:  "I'm so excited for you.  You get to go shopping for suits and a new work wardrobe!"
#3:  "What are you going to do with Julia?"
#2:  "They don't pay very well, do they?  And you probably don't get much vacation."
and,
#1 Response (from A Very Dear friend):  "When we see each other in a few weeks, lunch is on me, to celebrate your new job."

Not sure what all these responses say about Anything, really.  I know that each one of these people supports me and encourage me.  Obviously, though, some of them are better at hiding it than others.  Which only provides me with even More incentive to Do It All, especially at 40-something.

(And now a little diversionary story:  I was in Julia's room last week while she was trying on clothes, deciding what she should wear to the school dance that night.  She tried on a new striped cardigan sweater I had purchased, hoping she would love it and that I would let her have/wear it.  She had it on and I commented, "It's cute, but it makes you look a little old."  "Yes," she said, "that's what I thought but I didn't want to say it."  "Well," I said," it should look old on you.  I bought it for me and I'm 47.  You can't expect what looks good on me to look good on you when you're only 11."  "What?" gasped Julia, in shocked surprise. "You're 47?  I didn't think you were that old.  I thought you were 40."  Oh Favorite Child.....)

With that said, I expect to keep up Chasing Shade, and all the other things that I enjoy about being a 40-something woman with a family, a brain, and an opinion.  Not yet sure how I will fit in my running workouts, and Very glad I didn't start training for a spring marathon.  Maybe one in the fall, though ....!