Page 31 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2023 - Online Magazine

Focus
FAMILY
Staying in

MY LANE by Nancy Garrett

y husband city. She and her brother were housemates in a rental
and I property two miles from our home. As far as I was
Mcould be concerned, life was pretty much perfect, having them
considered late both so close. I had tried not to give much thought
bloomers. We to her declaration, when she was younger, that she
married when we wanted to be a travel nurse and see the world. I hoped
were older and she had long forgotten about that crazy idea and had
started a family when come to realize just how great it was to be close to
we were slightly family. My heart fell to my stomach at her news. I was
older than most scared and tried to talk her out of it. But my daughter
of our peers. Like had not called to consult me; she had called to inform
most parents, our me. I tossed all night, wrestling with the reality of what
children became the had just happened.
center of our world.
Like most parents, Accepting and getting on board with her plan was the
we believe our two only open lane. To do this well for her meant staying
children are the best out of her way for the most part. She certainly could
and brightest. Both have used my help with packing or preparation, so I
are the apple of our offered. She insisted on doing it herself. Her last night
eye, and we love being their parents. In the blink of an in Lubbock, I simply sat on the floor of her room and
eye, both children grew into adulthood. They entered observed my precious, adult daughter pack up her
an exciting new phase of life and left Greg and me life in Lubbock. Every now and then, I would muster
stumbling in a nuanced phase of parenthood. Their something I thought was profoundly encouraging, but
graduation into adulthood was greatly anticipated, yet mostly I remained silent and watched. I am so thankful
it happened suddenly at the same time. God gave me the grace to “stay in my lane” because I
believe our bond was strengthened through what was
Every year our sales manager encourages us to adopt a conveyed without words: “I know you have got this; I
word or phrase that will be our guiding, motivational am excited for you. I am here if you need me … now go
north star, a theme that will challenge us to bring and do great things.”
focus to actions throughout the year. “Growth”
and “excellence” are examples of motivational
theme words adopted by colleagues around the
office. “Stay in Your Lane” has been my theme
for going on two years now. The phrase reminds
me to respect the role I am now in with my adult
children.

Our daughter called late one evening to announce
that she had accepted a position as a travel nurse,
1600 miles away! She would give her two-week
notice the next day and start the new job within
three weeks. This move was both anticipated and
sudden. We loved having her so close, in the same

31 Lubbock Senior Link