Work, kids, skiing (pick 1 to 3)
Sister3 asked me what I would do if I suddenly became rich and didn’t have to worry about money. Would I have some kids, hang out and relax, visit Tahiti? She was surprised when I said that I would still work in exactly the same job. Of course, I wouldn’t mind a few perks — getting chaufferred to work from my delightfully spacious house with a fantastic view, maybe, or getting some custom-tailored suits to wear to conferences. Maybe I could just skip writing grants altogether and fund my lab of the interest on my investments. But I would still want to do my work. (Though I wouldn’t rule out kids, relaxing, and Tahiti, either.) It’s a real luxury to feel that way about your job.
Sister1 was an artist, and then a medical student, and dreamed of working in Alaska half the year as a doctor and spending the rest of her time back on the East Coast doing her art. She passed away when she was a medical resident, due to a freak accident.
Sister2 liked working OK before she had kids, but mostly for the nice co-workers and the chance to travel. "I never really cared about work," she said, "what I always wanted to be was a mother."
Sister3 has a job that she doesn’t particularly enjoy, but very effectively pays the bills. If she won the lottery, she’d be off in a second to ski Tahoe, surf the Pacific, and enjoy life.
Sister4 works part time as a doctor and has three kids. The older she gets, the more she wants to hike and bike and hang out with her kids. "I’m a doctor," she said. "I see people age, and I know what’s ahead. In your 40’s, you’re raising your kids. By the time in your 50’s, they’ve gone off to college and you’re starting to develop high-blood pressure and heart disease. I want to enjoy the time I’m healthy."
Sister5 is not healthy. Losing her health meant losing her whole way of life, including her job, her city, her apartment, and her independence. I don’t have her on record, but I don’t think she would have given up her job (as a scientist, working in public health) after winning the lottery, either.
Yes, I have a Brother, too. Just one. He probably doesn’t like his job much, but he likes telling stories about the customers he meets.
Me? I have a thousand and one interests having nothing to do with my research (right now: yoga, dogs). If I put them all together, I could fill up my day with no problem. But I guess I really like working.
