Not too long ago someone asked me “what does brave mean?” I guess I never really thought of it before. I told him that brave means being scared without crapping your pants.
Most people think that those who are going off to war are brave, those who stand up to a bully are brave, telling someone I love you with out knowing how they feel about you is brave. All of that is a form of bravery. The word “Brave” means something different to everyone. Some tell me that I am brave for volunteering to go to work in a war zone. Is that bravery? I don’t know. But here is what bravery means to me:
A mother seems angry at her child for going off to war but in reality is scared and does not know how to express her feelings and they come across as anger but finally she comes to terms with her child’s decision and tells her that she is proud of her. That is brave.
A sister and friend takes on the responsibility of taking a service members most precious dog into her family and taking care of him like he was one of her own, caring for him knowing that he means the world to this service member. That is brave.
A man falls in love with a woman who is being deployed and will be away for a year but is not afraid to tell her that he loves her and opens his heart and life to her being afraid of losing her. That is brave.
A service member allowing all of these things to happen despite her fears and anxieties and guilt for all of the above is brave. Not knowing the true effect and impact on those left behind to worry and be afraid for her is brave. Allowing herself to love and be loved despite the immense pain and sorrow it brings to say good-bye is brave.
To me the brave ones are the those who are fighting on the homefront for their loved ones making sure that when their loved ones come home they come home to peace, comfort, love, and happiness. I thank those brave heroes every day!
Most people think that those who are going off to war are brave, those who stand up to a bully are brave, telling someone I love you with out knowing how they feel about you is brave. All of that is a form of bravery. The word “Brave” means something different to everyone. Some tell me that I am brave for volunteering to go to work in a war zone. Is that bravery? I don’t know. But here is what bravery means to me:
A mother seems angry at her child for going off to war but in reality is scared and does not know how to express her feelings and they come across as anger but finally she comes to terms with her child’s decision and tells her that she is proud of her. That is brave.
A sister and friend takes on the responsibility of taking a service members most precious dog into her family and taking care of him like he was one of her own, caring for him knowing that he means the world to this service member. That is brave.
A man falls in love with a woman who is being deployed and will be away for a year but is not afraid to tell her that he loves her and opens his heart and life to her being afraid of losing her. That is brave.
A service member allowing all of these things to happen despite her fears and anxieties and guilt for all of the above is brave. Not knowing the true effect and impact on those left behind to worry and be afraid for her is brave. Allowing herself to love and be loved despite the immense pain and sorrow it brings to say good-bye is brave.
To me the brave ones are the those who are fighting on the homefront for their loved ones making sure that when their loved ones come home they come home to peace, comfort, love, and happiness. I thank those brave heroes every day!
Very touching, Dawn. We love you.
ReplyDeleteDawn, that is SO beautifully written; true; and PERFECT! I am so thankful for all of the brave heroes we have in our lives, and that includes you. Thank you for sharing your Shout Outs with us, I look forward to reading all of them! Hugs, Catherine
ReplyDeleteDawn we are proud of you & are so glad you have this site to keep us posted! Love & prayers, Mum & Pop Douglass
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