An intelligent conversation?

I hope nobody takes this personally. Just my general feelings.

I have plenty of friends who are very smart and have college educations. So why is it that all anyone can ever talk about is babies and the cost of groceries? I'm very interested in the world around me. I read the news every day and stay as up to date with science and technology as I possibly can, but lately I don't know why I bother. The only other person who ever has any idea what I'm talking about is my husband. Example: I call my good friend, who used to be a science teacher before starting a family, and ask what she thinks about the latest Hubble mission. Her response, "Oh, are they still using that telescope?" Don't get me wrong Jenny, I love you to death, but it's a perfect example of how we let our own lives and interests go just because we have a family.

What ever happened to having a brain and thinking for ourselves? No wonder so many women are developing Alzheimer's these days. Perhaps if we used our brains more often they would stop giving out on us. I know it sounds like I'm being a little mean, but I just miss being able to talk to my friends. I love my family too. But I was a whole person, all by myself before I got married. I shouldn't have to give up who I am. I think my thoughts and opinions should influence my children just as much as their school books do. I don't only want my family to respect me because I take care of their needs. I want them to respect that I have passion for many different things in life.

What ever happened to passion anyway? Was there only so much to go around and we used it all up? Are we just too embarrassed to express ourselves? That's what I think. I think everyone is so worried about being judged that they just lose their passion for the things they love. In the end, who really cares if you said a couple of stupid things. At least you were out there, willing to express yourself and stand up for what you think and believe.

My hope and prayer today, for all my friends and family, is that we can find the passions inside ourselves and learn to be our own independent people.