This week, my parents left the house they lived in for over 40 years and are moving to a seniors apartment complex where my mom, who can no longer walk, can get in and out of without a motorized stair chair. My dad replaced their car with a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. He’s been taking care of her singlehandedly for years since she can no longer get around on her own.

This isn’t the retirement they expected, but none of us are ever really in control of our own destiny. We can only adapt to what life gives us, and how we respond to it determines how happy we are.

It was sad to get rid of this spare set of keys that I kept in case of an emergency, but they don’t unlock any doors I need to open anymore.