TO ALL THE FIGHTERS

Some Warriors look fierce, but are mild. Some seem timid, but are vicious. Look beyond appearances; position yourself for the advantage.

                                                                                                   - Deng Ming-Dao
 

Last week, as the nation celebrated Veterans Day, I felt my mind wandering. Maybe it's because I still feel pretty overwhelmed being the mother of two, but I realize how, in addition to military veterans, there are so many other veterans out there of all different kinds, some of them still actively engaged in their fight.  I'm in awe of all the people juggling life, love, family, hardships, illness, big decisions, disappointments- all of it.  Anyway, that's to say that life can be f***ing hard sometimes and it requires a fight from all of us to get through.

As fate would have it, the good fight must have been on my brain even earlier.   Here's our oldest all dressed up for Halloween.  

You might THINK she looks like a Geisha, and that thought did cross my mind, but it just didn't seem appropriate for a three year old.  So we did the best we could seeing as the kimono was the only really costume worthy thing in her closet, and knowing how hard this little girl has fought for everything she does and is, we went with a lady samurai.  Hopefully the plastic sword helped to clarify somewhat.   Regardless- sword or no sword, could you say no to this face?

This is her sign for "Please, sir, can I have another?"

Anyway, I'm praying the samurai energy stays with her as I'm beginning to notice the disdain of some of her peers towards her differences.  It sucks.  It hurts.  And I know this is just the beginning.  What is it about the human animal that exploits weakness where ever it may lie?  Are we all like this somewhere deep down?  What a lesson for me.

But this blog is about optimism, so here's some:

I'm choosing to believe that every day is an opportunity.  That if I try my level best every day, eventually, something good will happen.  That even the weakest can be warriors, and I can be one for my child and somehow teach her to be.  The reality is, she teaches me most days.  The warrior is in her, but it's my job to learn how to open the door. 

Thanks to luck and the fantastic Internet, I came across the Samurai warrior quote above (you reallly can google anything) as well as this one from Confucius, which I'm going to keep as my mantra for the next days and weeks:

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop

From our little samurai to you and yours, whatever your fight may be-  hang in there!