“Dad… My Back Hurts So Bad I Can’t Sleep. Mom Told Me Not to Tell You.” I Had Just Walked In From a Business Trip

That realization angered me briefly.

How many trips had I taken because I believed ambition required them?

Still, I refused to turn the old career into villain number two.

The work provided for us.

Built skills.

Friendships.

Options.

I simply no longer let it define availability.