Years ago,

I climbed the career ladder to success,

sacrificing time—nights, weekends, holidays—

and missing life's sweet moments.

My husband Scott often dined alone;

I was too tired from my grueling workweeks to cook or even join him.

My job consumed me,

trading precious time with family for a paycheck.

Sounds familiar?

Then, three years back,

life threw a wrench in the works.

A car struck me in a crosswalk,

leaving me with lasting injuries.

Recovery was tough,

and I realized I couldn't return to those brutal hours.

Nor did I want to.

The accident was a loud, divine nudge.

I wasn't done yet;

God was just getting my attention.

It was high time I focused on what truly mattered

—family, friends, life itself.

I found a simpler job at my grandson’s school,

but it proved too demanding for my condition.