I think it’s easy to check out. I used to check out only on business trips. This was when we were still together. The evenings, the customer dinners without her— I just went through the paces like a zombie too. When I got home it felt like I came back alive.

After she passed, I found myself falling into the zombie behavior. Knowing there is no returning from this, I learned I can’t check out. I had to find meaning, so I do it through my kids, and grandkids, and I flatter myself my hobbies actually do the world a little good. It’s not the same, but it’s better than nothing. You can’t check out. That’s no way to live. Good luck finding something.