Explain Employment Gaps (Optional)

Help me draft a brief, positive, and professional sentence or two to optionally include in my cover letter addressing an employment gap from [Start Date] to [End Date]. The primary reason was [e.g., 'taking time for family responsibilities', 'pursuing full-time education in X field', 'recovering from an illness', 'travel sabbatical', 'company-wide layoff']. [Optional: Mention skills gained/activities during gap, e.g., 'During this time, I completed certifications in Y', 'volunteered at Z']. Focus on my readiness to re-enter the workforce for this role.