The author recounts their journey from Jamaica to the U.S., motivated by a belief in hard work as the path to a good life. After serving four years in the Air Force and obtaining U.S. citizenship, they immersed themselves in a demanding work culture. The passing of their father prompted reflection on their choices, leading to the realization that they had lived to work rather than work to enjoy life. Furthermore, they faced challenges with a painful autoimmune condition, adding to their feeling of disconnection from the country they once called home.
I never imagined I'd leave the country I served. I hoped the United States would be my forever home. However, I eventually had to admit that the country I dedicated myself to no longer felt like a place I could thrive.
After my military service, I immersed myself in America's hustle culture, always working and never resting. It wasn't until my father's death that I realized my sacrifice: I lived to work instead of working to live.
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