the brave ones…
Yesterday my daughter’s knee and the gym floor tried to occupy the same space at the same time, which is impossible as we all know and is, in a sense, the nub of theodicy. But I digress. The collision demanded some Motrin last night, just before bed, so I grabbed the bottle from the shelf and spun it around to ensure my dosage was kosher…and I couldn’t read the print. Well, damn. That’s what I said.
Yes, I’ll make an eye appointment on Monday and no doubt be outfitted with something bifocally stylish, something that screams hey, world, tell me your weight and I’ll tell you how much Motrin you can have. I’ve known for awhile my vision was changing, some would say getting worse, I say changing. I believe its due to a cocktail of age and occupation with a genetic olive thrown in – I’m getting older and I’m writing/reading more than ever, so my vision is changing. Makes sense.
What I’m seeing, beyond moments of attempted Motrin dosing, is, well, that’s another longer post, but I’ll name one thing here today: bravery. Sure, everybody’s dicey on the economy as we should be, and the roster of potential presidential candidates is a blinding display of ain’t nothing new under the sun, and some station’s already spinning Christmas tunes…but in the midst of all that, there is bravery, and its beautiful, and I’ve committed myself to naming beauty when and where I see it, so there you go. A good example? My little Motrin girl. She gave me a rather detailed accounting of her fall concluding with but I didn’t cry, Dad, I got up and kept playing. I thought well, damn. That’s what I thought. I’m seeing marriages stained by affairs but the cheated-on-one wants to make it work, so they’re trying. I’m seeing parents sacrificing time and money for their children, sure some are trying to live through their children but others desperately want their children to live and thrive and find their place in this world and they are willing to ride through hell itself for those still so fresh from God. I’m seeing kids make valiant choices for better and worse, and if you can get beyond the morality of the choice you see a kid choosing life when they could easily, easily say forget it, I’m out. I’m seeing single men and women not give up on the dream of finding someone to love. I’m seeing older couples still holding hands in the mall. I’m seeing precious people in the ring with cancer, wrestling and struggling and striving, shedding tears at the thought of leaving this tragically beautiful place but standing through those tears to keep on playing for as long as they can.
We worship a Bear Grylls bravado while the true men/women/children vs. wild are all around us and including us…if we could just see.
Thank you, John. Reading this challenges, or maybe seduces, me to use these bifocals to really see the wonderful drama around me.
Thanks, Alan…it really is all around us.
You’re right, and thank you for saying what’s true. As usual. You are a good voice.
Katie, you’re welcome…have a good day!
There are many reasons you are my friend, but pretty high up on the list is that you are REAL!
Gracias, Rich…of course the question is real ‘what’? Be well, amigo…
Makes me want to live another day… there’s always a good word from John.
Me too, James, me too…
I’m one of those in the ring fighting, and some days, I don’t feel so brave. But this post makes me want to keep fighting. And maybe even get up without crying. Thank you.
Some days, Charity, I feel barely brave…I hope you keep fighting…yes, please keep fighting.
This is beautiful, John — especially this: “I’ve committed myself to naming beauty when and where I see it, so there you go.” That one line will keep me going all day. Bravo.
Thanks, Michelle…been awhile since I’ve gotten a ‘bravo’ so I’m sitting up a little straighter…I appreciate you taking minutes from your day to comment.
Thanks, John. You’ve put some words to what I’ve been thinking. Except… not the bifocals part…
Thanks, Seth…yeah, you’ve still got years before the bi’s…
ohhhhh yes. YES. That is all.
Good to meet you, Fiona…thanks for taking time to comment.
John, this is a wonderful post. I love your line about naming beauty. Reminds me of the theme of Ann Voskamp’s beautiful book, One Thousand Gifts. Have you read it?
Bill, I know Ann and I’m familiar w/her book…the spectrum of beauty is wide, some of it dark, but still beauty. Have a beautiful day!