Sunday, January 12, 2014

Brave?


"Everybody's been there,
Everybody's been stared down by the enemy,
Fallen for the fear,
And done some disappearing.
Bow down to the mighty
Don't run.
Just stop holding your tongue.
Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your brave is."
Sara Bareilles

I think some people are born braver than others.
At least, I'm going to let myself think that.
Because I have never been naturally brave.
No.
I weigh my words, gauge my audience and aim to please.
I was born cautious. Emotionally cautious.
And I was raised to be extreeeeeeeemely polite.
So...
I've done my share of tongue holding. 
And disappearing.
I need people in my life who call the brave out of me.
Who shine the light, let me know I'm safe
and open the cage door
so I'll come out and show them my brave.
As an adult I've found those people.
Or they've found me.

When I think back to my childhood,
I don't remember much bravery at all.

But I do remember Sue.
Sue Freeman
was one of my first safe places.
She was the mom of the kids next door.
Her door was always open.
She trusted me to babysit her brood.
I got to hold her baby girl when she was very first home from the hospital.
She listened to me.
Heard me.
Supported me.
Traveled to my wedding...
Truth is...it's way less about what she did and more about who she was. 
For me, she was an early call to be brave.
She called the brave out of me, 
because she provided a safe place for me to be me.

We lost her yesterday.
Brave, tenacious, maternal, funny and wise...
through a painful battle with cancer...
She showed us her brave right to the end.
Her daughter posted this sweet childhood photo of her this week
as so many of us were praying for her
and for her family.


Thank you, Sue.
I love you. 
I promise to do my best to show you my brave.


Joining my friends for

17 comments:

  1. This is such a beautiful post. A lovely tribute to a special person. Thank you for sharing and allowing us a glimpse of her. Sending loving thoughts your way as you bravely work through your loss.

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  2. Your post is beautiful and very moving. Growing up with such a safe person leaves an imprint on our lives. I'm sorry for your loss.

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  3. oh...your words are such a great tribute to your dear friend...written so beautifully. hugs to you...

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  4. This is such a powerful post. I'm sorry for your loss. She sounds like a remarkable woman, who saw in you a remarkable woman too.

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  5. Powerful. Emotional. more brave than you give yourself credit for. I am so sorry for your loss of not only a dearly loved person in your life, but clearly someone of great strength and inspiration.

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  6. What a lovely post, and a gift to us readers. It's funny that a friend named Norma came immediately to my mind when I read about your Sue. Same thing -- trusted me with her newborn, enlisted me to teach her older kids piano. Encouraged me into adulthood. Thanks for sharing your memories of Sue.

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  7. You are brave. You were able to share this very personal and emotional moment with us and that to me is brave. It's hard sometimes to let out our feelings especially during sad times. I'm sorry you lost your friend but I'm happy that she touched your life in a very profound way.

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  8. I'm so sorry that you lost a very special lady who was a sort of mentor in your life. I'm so thankful that you had her for those years that you did. Just having anyone wake up our bravery is a small gift.

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  9. Beautiful post with beautiful words written by a wonderful woman in remembrance of a wonderful woman.

    These were my first words that popped into my mind when I read your article :)

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  10. This was beautiful. Wow. I can relate in a lot of ways. I was so outgoing and adventurous, but was raised to be cautious with my words and b/c of my speech issues was always hesitant to open up. It's taken time to learn to be safe with sharing my feelings.

    Thank you for being so open!

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  11. Such a beautiful tribute to your dear friend...

    Here's hoping and praying that you will always remember to roar...

    to be brave...

    to be You!

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  12. That is so sad, I feel for all of you who knew her.

    http://tinajoathome.com/

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  13. i am thinking of you today adrienne, good, warm thoughts!!

    i wish sue could read this, perhaps she has and is smiling upon you, from where ever she is now!!

    sometimes, it's just more important to be kind and silent. that takes real bravery as well!!

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  14. Isn't it amazing the impact a person can make in another's life...and perhaps not even realize it at the time! Makes you realize how your actions, or inactions, of today can have a lasting resonance in another's life. A beautiful ode to a beautiful soul in your life! Thanks for sharing at Song-ography!

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  15. Aw....I'm so sorry for your loss of such a wonderful friend and inspiration. That IS a sweet photo.
    Perfect for songography (although I wasn't familiar with the song).

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  16. I am so sorry for your loss. This is a perfect tribute.

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