The definition of courage- mental or moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand danger, fear or difficulty.
In the last week, I have seen different versions of the word courage.
Some are new to what I have seen but each had an impact on me in the last few days.
A President of a foreign country, a women at the top of her profession and a young boy with a catastrophic diagnosis.
President of a foreign country-
President Zelensky of the Ukraine. As if I would have to say where he is from. I wrote about him last week. It is great to observe what a true leader is in the face of his country being attacked by one person who can only be described as pure evil. I watch each day as he stands up and leads his country. That’s courage.
A woman at the top of her profession-
Public speaking is something she is so familiar with as part of her job. Entertaining, engaging and able to make you believe she is talking to just you and no one else matters. These are some of the skills she has exhibited in her role/profession. Then her world changes. The initial diagnosis is Parkinsons Disease. After a period of time, there are symptoms that don’t fit the bill. While getting additional medical opinions and tests, she finds herself praying that it is “only” Parkinsons. The new diagnosis is Multiple System Atrophy. She fights each day to keep life “ as normal as possible”. Finally, she comes to the realization that someone else will have to do the job. She will have to step aside and become the mentor. Eventually into new position that she cane do within the confines of her current limitations.
She has played an active role in an annual conference. This year was different. At the end of the conference, one of her former employees brings her out on the stage of the Kroger Center. She is in a wheelchair. She then shares the story of her journey the last few years. As one of the conference exercises, attendees had to write on their arms “who you are but no what is visual to any observer”. She wrote on her arms: “It can take everything but it cannot have my smile, humor or my faith.” She ended with a standing ovation. That’s courage.
A 6 year old with a diagnosis of DIPG (Diffuse Intrinisic Pontine Glioma).
He and his family have been battled this dreadful disease for a few years now. Hospital stays, hundreds of appointments, medications and clinical trails. Look up the definition of DIPG. It is scary, heartbreaking and dreadful.
The one thing that has gotten this family through these years of one issue after the next is faith and prayer.Knowing they have done all they can to find answers and seek options has been trying on everyone is the family one way or another. Those close to the family and even those like me who observe from a distance have not been left unchanged as the days, weeks, months and years pass. We ask why without any answers. We pray but at times are not sure what we should be asking for in those prayers.
This little boy and his family continue to fight each day. It is painful to watch and stressful for all. Each day is a day of hope and love and bravery. That’s courage.
We do not know how any of these ‘profiles in courage” will turn out. All we can do is watch, admire, hope and pray for them all as they battle forth.
Only God knows what will happen and we will leave it in his loving arms.
See you next week.
PS I you would like to read more about the little boy, there is a FB page Cancer’s Kryptonite-A Superhero’s journey to conquer DIPG you can follow.
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