A couple weeks ago, I got a call from the McGill Faculty of Medicine HR office about a temporary project. I went to an interview last week, and got the impression I was hired, but I wanted to make sure, because it just seemed too good to be true. Today was my first day of work! Despite coordinated smoke bomb attacks on the Montreal subway (how crazy is that, by the way?), I finally made it to my downtown office.

I’ll be putting together a newsletter for the Rossy Cancer Network, a brand-new comprehensive cancer treatment network among all the McGill-affiliated hospitals. This opportunity combines my background in medicine with my new career direction as a writer. At the interview, I decided to be honest and mention my reservations about returning to work because of my two little girls. Family always comes first. (Will it ever not hurt my heart to be apart from them?)

My boss said that I could work Monday through Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. How sweet is that? I almost hugged the guy, but remembered to be professional. So that’s it. Until August, I’m going to bask in the glory of being a paid writer three days a week.

This could not have been a more perfect offer at a more perfect time. It’s just what I need— a little something to keep me spry in the work force. Not too much to make me feel torn about being away from home. More up my alley than research on Crohn’s disease.

Perhaps the best part is that Sonya is really excited for me, too! She’s looking forward to next week, because “Molly Ann is going to come over!” Now I have no worries at all. Molly Ann has been a steady presence for Leena’s entire life and nearly all of Sonya’s too. They love her. And she loves them. And she’s going to be with them while I go to work.

I went to get everything sorted out today— payroll, office, passwords. When I got back home around four-thirty in the afternoon, Sonya gave me a huge hug and told me she’d had a great day with Molly Ann. Leena was all grins. So I’m all set for next week. I’m so psyched. I feel ready for this. I hope that it opens the door for other opportunities, too. Who knows? After all, one good thing usually leads to another.

Starting work means that I’ll probably be absent from this space for awhile. I aim to produce the best newsletter EVER in the history of newsletters. Then come back home and really focus on Sonya and Leena with renewed appreciation for the role I play as their mom. And continue writing. And… learn even more about Crohn’s disease.

I am so grateful for this chance and for Molly Ann stepping up to watch the girls. I know my daughters will be in excellent, capable, loving, steady hands while I’m working away from home.