Next of Kin

When I moved to Indiana twenty-seven years ago (YIKES, I've been a HOOSIER for longer than I was a BUCKEYE), I had no family near.  My "emergency contact" was my Dad who was 4.5 hours away in the days before cell phones. After I married I started listing Keith's Dad as my "next of kin" (emergency contact). We were, after all, "kin-in-laws" and he was newly retired with nothing but time on his hands. Physically he was closer than my Dad, so it made sense.  

I remember vividly the conversation I had with Julie about listing her as "emergency contact" on Zach's school paperwork thirteen years ago.  "So, I don't have any family around, and you don't have any family around and we are like sisters -- so will you be my official 'emergency contact' for the school? It shouldn't mean anything, but you know--just in case." "Of course". Done. 

And, so it's been for thirteen years. I don't ask every year, it's just known - you are my (our) emergency contact. We are each others' family.  We both have in-laws somewhat nearby, but still we are each others' "emergency contact"; there is no "in-law" at the end of our "sister" card. Whether the emergency is a kid with a broken leg at school, or a need for a Starbucks to vent, or a movie & popcorn to relax, or a triple chocolate meltdown to celebrate, we have been each others' emergency contact.

Today we had lunch with a dear friend and as Julie slipped away for a moment my friend asked if I was okay. "Yes. I'm okay. But, who will be my emergency contact?" Those words, spoken out loud, brought tears to my eyes (that I withheld when Julie returned). I have LOADS of fantastic girlfriends all across the country, a bestie on the north side of Indy, and a handful of really nice lady friends in Franklin. I know - I really know - I'm fortunate to have great girl friends. But, I don't have an "emergency contact" anymore. And, neither does she.  

She'll be fine. She's incredibly independent and she'll have a new best friend in a matter of months, or days of landing poolside as she works from home for a couple of months.

Me. The introvert who is leaning in this audacious year - it's going to be a bit more difficult to find my new "emergency contact". I have a feeling I'll be crying every time someone asks me to supply an emergency contact. And, I'll be praying God provides just the right one along this journey. 

T-40 hours and they'll be off. I have 5 months until someone will ask me to fill out a school form updating my "emergency contact" information.  Hopefully by then I still won't be crying at the thought of it.