Courage: Your WOW Card of the Week Message

We could all use a dose of courage…

COURAGE

Your heart will carry your through.

Definition: pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation

Other: bravery, valor, grit

Opposite: cowardice, lack of bravery

Courage is sometimes a matter of life and death.
As we try to deal with the COVID19 pandemic we are being called upon to be brave.

We are facing and enduring danger from an unseen enemy which can cause death for millions.

The health care workers, grocery employees, truck drivers, government staff figuring out what to do next, InstaCart and food deliverers and all the other people we sometimes take for granted are fighting on the front lines of this pandemic. Daily their courage is portrayed in stories on the news. They are brave.

AND so are we. We, the regular folks who are following the STAY AT HOME orders. We are showing courage when we wash our hands for the zillionth time or when we put on another sock puppet show or make another meal or avoid spending unnecessary money or spend money to keep a small business going or lifting spirits around us. When just grocery shopping for your family can increase your risk, that is courage.

We use courage when our anxiety and upset remind us that THIS is outside of our control, outside of everyone’s control. No one who survives this pandemic will be untouched by this humbling experience. Our distraction of doing is being replaced with living moment to moment, over and over again. We are worthy of respect and kudos also, especially from our very own self.

We take one day at a time and appreciate what the day has to offer.
Maybe using this precious time to rethink LIFE.
New goals and dreams are being born.
Courage has called us ALL to do our duty.
It is an opportunity to reset the rhythm of our days.
Stop doing some things.
Start doing others.
Doing the right thing.
Being strong.
Asking for what you need.
Spreading courage not fear.

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow.”
-Mary Anne Radmacher

We are in this together.
Those on the front lines and those of us at home.
We will survive.
With courage.

Becky Wilbur, Silver Lining Special at Well-Being and Wonder. She is a woman who is wise-hearted and chooses to live with ease. Well-being is the vision which lights her way with peace and love. As an encourager, healer and champion for flourishing and contentment, she is honored to inspire others on their journey of change. She is a widow, and Mom to two girls and a mutt named Sadie from Modesto, CA.

Bravely Saying our "See Ya Later" →

As a military Mom, I have had the experience of saying “See ya later” instead of good-bye, for the past five years that our son has been in the military.  It doesn’t get any easier.  Today was once again a “see ya later” day. 

With tears in my eyes, a lump in my throat and so much love in my heart, I say “see ya later”, until the next time we meet again. 

What makes it tolerable is the knowing that my son is doing what he feels passionate about: serving his country but at a great sacrifice to himself. 

He has to be the one to bravely move forward to a new location, uprooting himself from friends and family and making new connections at his next duty station or billet. 

He is the one who must leave his life as he knows and creates it on hold as he goes on patrol for an extended time period, saying good-bye or “see ya later” to his family and friends, missing special occasions as he proudly serves his country. 

I have seen many Moms and Dad’s leave their families portside for months at a time, missing first days or schools, birthdays, holidays and other special events while they serve.  Not only does it tug at my heart strings for them, but it also makes me feel incredibly grateful for their sacrifice. 

I don’t know when I’ll next see my son and his family.  They live a thousand miles away.  I am so grateful for the ability to stay in touch via email, text, phone and video.  The gift of technology makes the distance melt away, it’s the next best thing to being there in person. 

I have been blessed that our son and his family have been able to visit three times this year.  This year I have journeyed with pancreatic cancer and I was unsure if or when we’d be able to see each other again.

During their first visit, they surprised me when I was first diagnosed and having procedures in the hospital.  The second visit they came down for a family wedding while I was undergoing chemotherapy.  This visit, I am happy to report, I am no longer having any treatments and have a great diagnosis following my life-saving surgery. 

I felt good enough this trip, to go sightseeing and just hang out with them and my heart is so full of love and gratitude for that simple pleasure. 

Son, I am incredibly proud of you and the other men and women who serve our country.  Your service means so much and I am filled with humble gratitude at the magnitude of your daily sacrifice for the benefit of all here at home.  I am in awe of you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Until the next time we can be together in person, I bid you adieu or “see ya later” with a heart full of love and gratitude.  I am so proud of you. 

Love,

Mom

Tagged: Military Mom, Military, Pancreatic Cancer, Goodbye, See Ya Later
First Published on Angel Angles with Janette Stuart on Sept. 27, 2019