Thank you so much for your kind response. Specifically, thanks for helping me reframe my  teaching experience. It definitely allowed me to take care of my children. And even though I didn’t love it and it ended imperfectly, that doesn’t take away from my honest and nonstop effort to teach my students well or from what they learned from me. They did have a teacher who was completely passionate for her subjects (literature and art) and who cared about them as people. Teaching also gave me the experience of gaining an abundance of knowledge about art and art history, something I treasure. You are correct that I am in a perfect situation now where I can do anything I want. So I have decided I WILL be an artist! It’s something I’ve always loved but never dedicated myself to 100%. So, now I will. Just in the past two days I’ve spent at least 4 hours a day working, and the exciting thing is . . . I completely enjoy it and lose myself in it. That tells me I am doing something I was made to do. Also, when you have something worthwhile to give yourself to, what other people think of you seems to matter much less. It’s completely irrelevant. Kind of interesting. I have a ways to go, but at least I am working towards it. (I create abstract expressionist paintings, btw. I’ve always been drawn to abstract art.) And I do think I’ll be able to sell my work soon :-). So thanks for your help! I needed someone to hear me and reassure me. I hope you have a beautiful, blessed day. – i.am.one