I'm there, too. Two kids, both will be in college in Aug. I was always a stay at home mom by choice. About the time the kids were heading into high school/middle school, I began writing -- a passion I've always wanted to pursue. So, I began with short stories, and I sent a couple into a national writing contest. At the same time, I began to write a novel, what I really always wanted to do. And then it began ... full-time caregiver for 4 aging and ill parents. From 2002 until exactly this time last year I have cared fulltime in our home for these parents. We've traveled with hospice four times (brain cancer, parkinson's, renal cancer, early-onset alzheimers). And I've been consumed with the knowledge of how much time I missed with my kids, precious time that I can't get back ... weeks spent in hospitals, dance competitions missed because I couldn't get a "sitter," etc. And as I know all of this made my kids independent, strong and more empathetic young people, I still look back now and wish for all those lost moments. I want them back ... sigh.
But, before this sounds like "woe is me," in August I will be removing the metaphoric manuscript from the desk drawer, and I will finish it. And I will write a second novel, with ideas I already have down on paper ... and I will write a third. And I will, hopefully, find someone who wants that first and second novel .... you get the idea.
But difficult ... hoo-boy, I'm already preparing my husband. Baby away at college and peri-menopause, he better just start wearing kevlar now.
zebes, btw, the short stories ... on one very horrible day into our third week of hospitlization with grandparent 1 (while taking care of grandparent 2), I received notification that I'd gotten an honorable mention for literary fiction on one of the pieces. This was out of 18,000 submitted. So, I made top 10 .... I'll take it; it's a start.