Page 52 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Summer 2022 - Online Magazine

RUSSELL LANDES

humbled

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honoR

by Laura Landes

or most of us, by our mid- Graduation from the academy that power and authority. Being the
forties, we have a good idea brought both the expected feelings “adultier” adult in the room comes
Fof what we want to be when of pride and accomplishment, but with its own set of challenges,
we grow up and have settled into also a sense of fear and trepidation. as most often people naturally
a career. Yet for some, there is still Being past your prime presents gravitate to an elder when seeking
a longing to be something else, its fair share of adversities on a answers, deeming them to be more
something more. For one man, good day, not to mention when knowledgeable and of higher rank,
applying with the Lubbock Police speed, agility, and endurance are when in fact, this is often not the
Department at the ripe old age necessary. However, having lived case.
of forty-five might be judged as through many trials and possessing
more of an emotional reaction to a broader understanding of the In addition, the continuous
an impending mid-life crisis than a world and its people can also have display of gratitude and praise
rational decision. its advantages. There is something that officers in our area receive can
to be said for patience, the ability be overwhelming for those who
Upon entering the academy, this to listen without judgment, and are not accustomed to this kind of
“mid-life crisis” soon became a not being quick to anger when recognition. While he accepts this
“journey of survival.” Trying his attempting to de-escalate volatile praise with the utmost humility,
best to keep up with the youngsters situations. he cannot help but feel that he is
in his class, both mentally and undeserving of praise for “simply
physically, he quickly earned the While younger officers can doing my job.”
nickname “Grandpa.” Whether this sometimes find themselves
resulted from having twice the life struggling to harness the power Having been on the force for just
experience of his comrades, or just and authority that accompanies a short time and being fortunate
a gentle reminder of his age, the the badge, older officers can often enough to have, thus far, avoided
name stuck. struggle with simply implementing the life-threatening situations that

52 Lubbock Senior Link