I’ve been reading Kevin Clarke’s blog for a while now and I’ve really enjoyed his writings particularly about his family and the challenges of moving to a new place.  His recent post about not wanting to be apart from his family really resonates with me.  I feel the same way and I also have irrational fears and thoughts of “what ifs” whenever I have to leave on a trip somewhere.  This is one of the main reasons I have purposely not sought out — or I have turned down — opportunities to go to conferences for many years.