The Promotion I Didn't Take

My boss offered me a transfer to the London office — my dream role. But my mother had just been diagnosed with cancer, and my daughter was starting school. I said no. Fifteen years later, I still wonder. My colleague who took the job is now a VP. I'm still in the same cubicle. Mom passed anyway. My daughter grew up fine, but she's moved to another state and calls once a month. I don't regret choosing family. But I regret that I never let myself grieve the life I could have had.