An interesting, thoughtful post. I, too, have been lately contemplating the erosion of my own artistic ambitions. In my case, more blunted by the passage of time and the persistent rigor required to eke out a living, rather than the sense of increased responsibility at the impending birth of a child. We are, it seems, at different but not dissimilar phases of life. My child is in the prepratory stage of leaving the nest, which is a different kind of birth. It has its own set of unfolding responsibilities, emotions, anxieties, certainties, and mysteries.

However, I have found even more comfort of late in the Psalms. In particular, those written by David in his times of distress. For me, there is relief in knowing that this man, loved by God so deeply, could and would unload on his Creator with such frank honesty and deep angst.

Zeb,

I guess part of my problem, in reading the Psalms, is that I lack context. (None is offered by my little psalm book.) The great majority are uplifting and spiritually helpful. However, the ones lamenting status and calling on the destruction of the rich trip me up a little when it comes to balancing life and religion.

As for our differing stages of parenthood, I'm trying not even to think 10 years down the road, let alone 17 to 20!