Leslie, Lenora Mae, and Shepherd . Making pies in KC, MO

I’m not a fan of the obsession over “work/life balance”. I have decided to rail against the notion of work/life balance until the doors blow off and everyone can see it for what it is – a stress-inducing unicorn hunt.

I haven’t come across a more anxiety-producing concept as a mother and full-time artist than the idea of work/life balance. I know there are people out there making money, writing books, and teaching workshops imparting their wisdom of how they’ve magically done it – how they’ve chased the balance unicorn and rode it all the way home. but in my life, and the lives of most of the mothers I know, it’s a shit show.

The only real balance a person like me can hope to achieve doesn’t look like Philippe Petit on the wire between the twin towers, it looks a lot more like what Leslie does in her life as a mother and pie-maker.

I spent a morning with Leslie in her 100 year old house as she (pregnant with their third) loved on her little ones, Shepherd and Lenora. For her, balance doesn’t look like a studio kitchen where she perfectly balances her time. She doesn’t have time for the illusion of perfection in her home, she is far too busy living present to every moment, filled with joy. I watched as she gave hugs and kisses, made meals, told jokes, all in between making over a dozen pies for an upcoming wedding. If that isn’t a poetic and balanced way to live, I don’t know what is.

Thank you, Leslie, Shepherd, and Lenora for letting me spend a morning with you. It was a true gift to my spirit and I love you dearly.