This morning, the doc said I might need surgery again. Now, as I dive into a seven-hour writing sprint, I find myself reflecting on the unexpected charm of my first two surgeries—one for each foot. It was a kind of buy-one-get-one-free deal, as insurance would have it (with the small disclaimer cautioning a year-long knockout). Being someone who rarely spends a full day indoors, it was a surprise to discover that this interlude was, in fact, the most beautiful chapter of my life. Returning to live with my family, I braced for what seemed like a step backward but, undoubtedly, it turned out to be a massive leap forward.