After a week-long work trip, I expected to return to the familiar comfort of home. Instead, I walked into complete disarray. Toys covered the floor, dishes were stacked in the sink, and the kitchen table had become a landing zone for unopened mail. In the middle of it all sat a forgotten banana on the couch—overripe and out of place. I had spent days before my trip preparing meals, organizing the kids’ clothes, and making sure everything was set for…