1950s Housewife or Corporate Climber?

When I was young, I rarely played with dolls, and after two paid babysitting gigs I decided it wasn't for me. I remember my friend R sleeping over one night, and in the morning before we left for our excursion, she suggested we feed our Cabbage Patch Kids and dress them in new outfits. Really, I thought? Our friendship survived, but I never played Cabbage Patch Kids with her again.
When I was in college, I started thinking about a career and travel. I never thought about having kids. I thought about what city I'd move to, and how long it would take to get out of a cubicle and into an office. I figured after I was settled in my corner office with a water view, I'd adopt a child in need because I'd be too old to have my own.
At 25, I found out I was pregnant. I became tied to a demanding job and a demanding baby. Later, I was tied to a long commute, a demanding toddler, and graduate school. Then I was tied to a blackberry and an ever argumentative, very smart, adjusted pre-schooler. I wore every hat imaginable (and some really cute shoes). I thought nothing of working at 2am (or getting on the treadmill or doing laundry) and would never leave home without my blackberry. Have a mortgage to pay I would say.
Then on July 15, 2009, my job was eliminated. I became a stay at home mom by default. I cried for days. Who was I, if I didn't have a job?
I found out after months of struggle, who I was. I was the same person I had always been, my job didn't define me. I spent the entire year of Kindergarten with my son. It was the best year, I could help in the classroom, I became friends with other moms, the kids in my son's class knew who I was. I proudly became a soccer mom, a baseball mom, a classroom helper mom, my house was never cleaner, my yard never better.
A year later, I returned part time to a job that was much better suited for my career path. I kept looking for full time work, and the phrase "when I return to full time" became a constant.
I had the best of both worlds.
Last night, out of nowhere my son spiked a high fever, tears streamed down his face. He hurt, he was hot, he was cold. I was up with him a few times during the night. I went to work tired. I stared out of my office window and thought how much I should be home. I knew my son was in good hands with my husband (he's actually a nurse), but that's my job I thought. I am his mom I thought. Does he still have a fever? Has he had any food? Is he watching cartoons or sleeping?
I rushed home after work, ran to my son. Mom he said, will you hold my hand. Yes, I said, I will even feed you and get you new clothes.