My retirement, rather than the respite I anticipated, became a spiral into depression and addictions. I was numb. I did the only think I could think of: I ran. I kissed my wife goodbye and boarded a plane for Belize.

I knew no one there, had never traveled to Central America, and never traveled alone. I didn’t know why I chose Belize and had no plan for when-or if-I would return.

My story is one of fear, joy, and ultimately redemption; an incremental enlightenment leading to to surprisingly difficult-yet beautiful-truths helped me understand what home can be.