What this Princeton woman wanted

Last updated on: January 11, 2013 at 12:15 pm by Bethany "B-mama"

What this Princeton woman wanted 2013-01-11T12:15:47-06:00 Bethany "B-mama"

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Margaret Fortney’s article “What Princeton Women Want” may take some by surprise, but not me and probably not any of us, builders!

It was spring semester of my junior year at Princeton. I was taking two biology courses, one physics, an elective, writing my junior paper, preparing for a summer of senior thesis research, rowing lightweight crew, and studying for the MCAT.

In many senses, I was doing too much (weren’t we all?), but in others I was forcing a square peg into a round hole. The effect was not that I appeared outwardly overwhelmed, but that I began to lose my inner joy. My smile was an outer facade hiding an interior void. I was giving so much of myself to endeavors that were no longer meaningful that there was little left when it came to others. In many ways I was losing sight of my God calling, or true vocation. I had started off wanting to help people, but where had I gone wrong in the process?

Then came a vision–it was of me at reunions years down the road, elated at seeing a fellow MCAT gal. While she regaled me with tales of medical school and residency, I imagined me stooping down to pick up a toddler. The child and I eagerly listened and questioned, genuinely happy for her, and then parted together, joyful and content. I was not a doctor. I was a mom. This was my calling.

I quit the MCAT soon after and experienced an undeniable peace in its place. This was definitely right. From there it became obvious that I needed to pursue my passion for teaching others. I remember the naysayers: “You went to Princeton to become a teacher?” An assured “yes” was all I could articulate at the time. The world told me I was taking the lesser path, but all I knew was that I was truly answering His call even if it deviated from others’ definition of success.

Today it would sound more like this: “You went to Princeton to become a stay-at-home mom?”

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. (That’s one per kid.)

Thanks be to God for women who answer the call to become physicians. You care for my children; you are my heroes.

But for me, I answered the call to be a mom (always a teacher) and haven’t regretted the decision since.

Motherhood and Parenting

Previous Post

January 10, 2013

Thoughts for Thursday -- Birthday Edition!

Next Post

January 14, 2013 Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Builders' Favorite Posts Children Education & Homeschool Food and Nutrition Health Home Organization Inside Our Inbox Keeping It Real Liturgical Seasons Marriage Miscellaneous Motherhood and Parenting Nature and the Environment NFP and Fertility Politics and Current Events Pregnancy Recipes Spiritual Life The Catholic Church Thoughts for Thursday Uncategorized

Select a Month April 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your ____.

Select your answer to see how you score.

Spirit Heart Mind Actions