The Brave Ones

Johnny.  Kathy.   Rachel.



Shocking?  Sometimes.

Outspoken?  Often.

Brave?  Always.



Bravery is something I find to be a very worthy personality trait.  Why?  Because I am often not.  I am not normally the voice of dissent in my physical life.  In my digital life, I am a little braver.  I speak up a little more, mainly because I don't have to worry about trying to justify why I feel the way I do.  The real brave ones?  They are the ones who can be who they are, regardless of the environment.  They are the ones who express their opinions without fear or reservation.  They are the ones of whom I am eternally envious.

Often, they get labels.  Rebel.  Controversial.  Difficult. Rude.

In reality, the brave ones are misunderstood.  While the brave ones happily express their opinions, they are also the very first ones to be supportive of those who try to express theirs as well.  The brave ones might not agree, but they always allow others to express themselves and be heard.

My beautiful friend is brave.  When I first met her, I will admit that I was a little put off by her brashness.  Her audacious behavior was surprising and at times down right shocking.  What her behavior wasn't?  Apologetic.

And that is one of the reasons why I love and admire her.  She's not just brave because she speaks her mind.  She has weathered many storms and has come out on top.  She loves fiercely, intensely, and loyally.  Her beauty, inside and out, make her incomparable.

Through her, I have met more of the brave ones.  Two who are brave enough to be who they are in the face of uncertainty and judgment.  Two who have been brave enough to stand together for over a quarter century. A brave new Mommy.  A woman brave enough to start again. Brave women who share the often comical outcomes of working and child-rearing at the same time.  And one who is brave enough to dream her dreams.


Inspiring?  Absolutely.

Beautiful?  Certainly.

Brave?  Always.