There’s always a reason not to take a vacation:

1. A particularly needy client might explode.
2. You might have to be in court in a delicate case.
3. Your grandfather hasn’t been well (for years), and he might die while you’re gone.
4. Your assistant will do nothing but play around on Facebook during your absence.
5. Your puppy is being trained, and you need to be there to reinforce the lessons.
6. Your kid is having a rough time at school and can’t miss the days.
7. Your kid is having a rough time at school and can’t handle you being away.
8. Your kid is being your kid and needs you to be the parent.
9. Your mother has cancer.
10. Your bathroom is getting remodeled around that time.
11. Your spouse just started a new job.
12. You just went back to work after being out for (whatever).
13. Your spouse is managing a big project.
14. Your brother is probably going to rehab and needs you around when he gets out.
15. Your brother is getting out of prison around then.
16. That’s a busy time of year.
17. You can’t afford to be away.
18. You’ll get homesick.
19. You don’t have someone to back you up right now.
20. You just bought a house.
21. You’re thinking of buying a house.
22. You know someone who bought a house.
23. The big party is coming up.
24. You’re out of money.
25. You’re on overload.
26. Your friend just got some bad news.
27. You just got some bad news.
28. The puppy might get loose, run in front of a car, and get smushed, and no one will be there to scoop her up (I just lost the dog lovers).
29. A new client might call, and the intake will be flubbed without you.
30. Terrorism.
31. Ebola.

Have I missed anything? I ask because you’re better than me at coming up with these stories. I, you see, am on vacation.