I resigned from my job on Thursday.

Why? Time had caught up with me. I need to leave my young family; head halfway accross planet earth; and take care of my mother who at 82 years of age can no longer manage alone.

I feel sick to my stomach at having to do this but duty calls and family comes first.

My body is still a wreck after carrying a mikoshi around my neighborhood for 7 hours on the weekend.

Was it worth it? Ohhhhh yes. You need to be part of the community you live in or you will forever live your life as a tourist.