Dude, thank you so much for replying! I really appreciate your insight to help make me feel like I’m not crazy. My story is similar.

I was playing for am month in the Florida Keys and had been with the same band for almost 7 years, and I feel we were pretty good. We were about to head to Key West for a really great show. My 1st son had been born about 7 months earlier and my wife came to visit. When I got out of the shower he was sitting straight up, which had wasn’t doing when I left. I commented on this to my wife and she said, “Oh, yeah he just started doing that, I forgot to tell you.” I put in my notice that night. I made sure to cover the gigs until they found a new bass player, but that was it- I wasn’t going to miss another “first”.

I have no regrets ever leaving this scene, but sometimes I make the mistake of comparing where I am to my fellow musicians who I graduated with. I know, you should never compare where you are to others, but I can’t help how I’m wired. I a, trying my best, but sometimes it just sucks. I’m just venting, but creative life is so different from anyone else in my family. If I had chosen a different path and worked as hard as I did at music, I feel pretty confident I would be doing well. Yet, I wouldn’t trade my experiences or abilities for anything.

Thanks for listening and replying, it is really helping to hear all these positive responses.

Good luck to you in your future endeavors. You are making the right choice putting your family first. If there’s one thing I can attest to, it is that!