What I've "learned" from my yearlong "vacation"

I am now nearly nine months into my yearlong sabbatical from my law firm position. I was asked to write an article about my experience for the American Bar Association's webzine, Law Practice Today, which they recently published. While many of my colleagues patted me on the back and told me to enjoy my "vacation", I knew when I left, that a "vacation" was not in my future. Staying home to care for my three young children, nurture my writing career, and pursue some other professional and personal endeavors has been hard work, just as I suspected. No, more so than I suspected. And yet, this year has been a gift I would not return for anything in the world. Here is my article: The Yearlong Sidebar.