I returned to work — from the van in Florida. I did not return to California. I got a temporary remote work arrangement through January, 2022. So I set about getting the van set up for remote work and dug back in.
Given how hugely influential my grandparents were during my childhood, I wasn’t ready to give up my goal of being present in N’s early life. It was also a month earlier than I had originally planned for the end of my leave of absence, so I was completely unprepared to head back.
Plus, the kids (parents – my son and his fiancé) were so young, they could use some extra support and guidance, particularly noted from my observations during my time there to date. So I couldn’t quite leave yet.
