What were some things you came close to being, or have happened in your life, but situations or choices diverted you from it?

For example, you were close to being a pro athlete but decided to finish your senior year in college. You were close to being a rock star but a decision to help your ailing father with the family business meant you could not go play on the road in a band with your buddies. I was close to being a multimillionaire but passed on the opportunity because I did not want to risk the money. I could have a second time when Apple stock was $12 a share, and everyone was scared Apple was going to rank, but I had to buy a block of at least 100 shares, and I could never work it in my budget (oh, if I could have). What were you close to but missed, even if you learned later what you missed and how close you missed it by?