One of the hardest things for me was admitting how exhausted I had become.

During Marian’s appointments, I managed schedules, supplies, transport, work meetings, insurance calls, and ordinary chores.

Even after Lucas began participating more reliably, I felt guilty whenever I considered taking an afternoon for myself.

One Friday, Priya stopped by with a pot of soup and found me searching through my laptop for a billing statement I had already filed.

“Kendra,” she said, “when did you last take a day off?”

“I was away for work last month.”