This past week, I made the decision to go back to school. If I pass the GRE and get accepted, I'll have a Master's of Library Science degree in two years. I am feeling nervous and not very brave. In honor of my cowardice, I look to the people in my life who show or have shown great courage. Here are the top five:
5. My friend John –He and I are from the same small Texas town. After spending some time there after he graduated, he up and moved himself to New York City! To leave everything behind that’s comfortable and known, and move so far away is admirable. To me personally, it’s frightening. Not only did he move to New York, but he did it to pursue his art, his dream. In the nine years he’s been there, he consistently and persistently finds new ways to reinvent and express himself. From my perspective, he is living his dream. John is also a fighter. Because he is gay, he faces hate and bigotry every day, but he doesn’t falter and continues to fight for what he believes is right. He’s an educated advocate for himself and his wonderful husband. This guy’s got guts, and I am proud that he calls me his friend.
4. My boyfriend - William has set a course for making his life better. On September 30th of last year, he smoked his last cigarette. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for him every day. He says he’d kill anyone for a cigarette, but he still doesn’t smoke one. He’s had many opportunities to sneak one when no one’s looking, but he still doesn’t smoke one. And as much as it has to be a fight for him every day, he STILL doesn’t smoke one. Also, he is losing weight. Now, you won’t ever get me to say that he needs to change anything about himself. I know he’s a sexy man. This was his decision and he’s sticking to it. He’s nine weeks in and doing well. His determination to see through his goals takes courage that at first, I don’t think he even knew he had.
3. My Laotong Jennifer – Jennifer currently works her (very sexy) booty off at not one, but two jobs. Many times a week, she leaves one job to go straight to the other and doesn’t step foot at home until well into the night. She’s given up weekends and pretty much free time altogether in the name of taking care of herself and her newlywed husband, who is chronically ill. I know it’s hard for her, and I know sometimes she wants to give up, but she doesn’t. There are many people in our American society who loudly and proudly wear their entitlement like a badge of honor, expecting things to be handed to them without an ounce of effort or contribution on their part. The very things that our recent ancestors put sweat and tears in to providing for their families. My laotong does the opposite, in a quiet, strong way that makes me love and respect her all the more.
2. My daughter – My girl is a fireball. She has more confidence and radiance than her little body can contain. KPT has an exceptionally unique sense of style. It’s difficult to explain without pictures. She loves color and makes color combinations that I never would have thought to make. She also loves accessories –jewelry, hats, gloves, handbags, and shoes. She has kitty ears and mouse ears that make appearances as well a couple of pairs of fake glasses. At quick glance, one might scoff at her styling, but looking at her again…the outfit always works. And it suits her. She is not afraid to express herself. KPT is completely herself and doesn’t care what anyone else says or thinks about it. I pray that she always has this strength of character and individuality as she gets older.
1. My dad – For those of you from my generation, you’ll remember a TV show called The Greatest American Hero. Even though my dad and that show don’t have anything in common (he never used an alien suit that gave him super powers….at least not to my knowledge), to me he has always been just that. My Greatest American hero. My dad was a police officer for over 30 years. I watched him uniform up and hit the streets, knowing that it was his job to keep people safe. When Daddy was not on duty at the police department, he volunteered for the local fire department. Again, at all hours of the night, I would watch my dad suit up to go and keep people safe in a completely different way. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve heard stories about my dad’s bravery in both jobs. His impact on our community exceeded beyond what I could have imagined. I also have come in to a better understanding at just how often he put his life in danger to save others. My dad is the bravest person I know.
