1) The author's mother wanted him to become a doctor but a motorcycle accident ended his football career and dreams of attending university. 2) The author's mother met his father while she was studying to become a nurse and caring for his father who was dying of cancer. She went on to have a 52-year career as a nurse. 3) Though he became an accountant, the author eventually worked in healthcare administration and came to appreciate the important work of caregivers through interacting with them across the country.