I missed Walter’s radio drifting down the hallway.

I missed Paige’s school projects scattered across the dining table.

I missed the sound of rain against the kitchen windows during the years when I still believed our marriage would become gentle with time.

But I did not miss being ordered to the door.

I did not miss hearing that the place I cared for was none of my business.

I did not miss shrinking myself to make other people feel important.