This article is a personal reflection by a tenured professor, Matt Might, on his journey to tenure, prompted by a question about minimizing the risk of having a disabled child. Might shares his experience of having a son with a rare genetic disorder, which profoundly impacted his life and career. He argues that focusing on problems that matter, inspired by love and guided by knowledge, is more important than chasing metrics for tenure. He emphasizes the importance of teaching, service, and health, and regrets not pushing for open access earlier. He also highlights the crucial role of his wife in their family's journey and his success. Ultimately, he advocates for a holistic approach to academia, where making a difference is prioritized over traditional metrics.

This reminds me of river mussels that grow pearls around grains of sand. We've all experienced unfortunate events, perhaps even asking God, "Why me?" But instead of just accepting it, there's another option: Build your life around it. You're not the only one who has suffered; maybe you can do something to help others who have gone through something similar.