The author reflects on his return to the office in 2022 and the negative impact on his family life, feeling disconnected from his children. Traffic delays kept him from witnessing their milestones, leading to guilty feelings. His attempt at small gestures to maintain a connection fell short, and a pivotal moment in early 2024, marked by his son’s need for him, prompted a change. He decided to focus on prioritizing family time over work, illustrating the struggle of balancing career with parenting.
In early 2024, I had one late night at work too many. I came home at 9:30 p.m. to find my wife on the stairs, holding a half-empty cup of cold tea.
Between 2022 and 2023, I left at 6:30 a.m. and returned under dark skies. My car became a territory of guilt while stuck in traffic.
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