I want to be brave
because
I so
admire
the way it looks on other people
There are times in my life that I thought I was …
but looking back –
the reflection of those memories seem much closer to
seeking adventure
than requiring bravery in its truest form
which is – Necessity
Brave isn’t a character trait,
it’s a state-of-being
and the bravest people I know don’t get credit for life
they just live it
So to:
The under-appreciated, marginalized, minorities in society
The citizens of nations who didn’t choose to be born unblessed by geographic happenstance
The ill of body or mind in a world that makes you feel disposable for being “un-perfect”
The overstressed, single parents who didn’t ask to do it alone
The children who’ve become accustomed to seeing themselves as an interference
To me?
You
are
the
brave
ones.
And I’m sorry.
I’m so sorry that every day you don’t have a choice
but to be brave.
This wasn’t the way the world was supposed to welcome you
This wasn’t the life to which you were intended …
Precious little though these words might do
I want you to know
that I recognize the weight of your armor
and when I see your tired faces
weary with
expectations
insinuations
and constant
degradations
I wish I could
be
more
So that I could
do
more
for you.
But I’m just me
and I’m not brave
because life never trained me
on battlegrounds like yours
Still, I want you to know
I see
I care
And the one thing I can offer – the truth?
God didn’t plan this part
In no cosmic design were you ever meant to be
less
than the children of divinity
you are
Your purpose has a place
and the cartographer of the stars in the heavens Himself
has charted the course of destiny you were meant for
But we are fallen
and life
is acutely unfair
I still want to be brave
because
I so
admire
the way it looks on other people
I’m just sorry
that wearing brave
was never a choice
you were given to make
Always,
Elle
this quotable life 
This brought tears to my eyes, Elle.
I thought of all the brave ones who fight each and every day, because, as you say, they were given no choice. All those whose lives are far more difficult than mine will ever be.
And then I felt ashamed, because I am tired and weary from fighting my own battle (with chronic illness) and each day trying to make the best of things, but each day being far less than brave when I fall apart at some point, when the pain and fatigue overwhelm me, and I don’t want to be even TRY to be brave anymore – I just want a reprieve from the battle.
You my dear friend are brave. It takes courage to write so vulnerably and then share for all the world to see.
Thank you for putting into words what my heart often feels.
Sweet friend. Be gentle with yourself. Truly. These are battles you were never meant to fight and scars you were never meant to wear. Someday all will be well, but on this side of heaven, I’m grateful for the fact that you are a warrior.
Thank you sweet friend, for your encouragement. 💕
Elle
Your bravery to write from your heart for us weary souls needing to find words to describe the weight of our armor, you are so brave. Some will read the words and find no meaning, some will read the poem and find a line they might hang from, others will read the words and feel the space between each letter, the emotions where these words came from, a place so deep and dark they needed to find the light. Your writing gave them life for us who feel the space to embrace our own bravery and keep moving on. Thank you ever so much for being brave with us.
So beautifully said, Kathee!
Wow. I’m literally in tears at your precious encouraging words. Thank you. Thank you from every space within me. I’ll cherish this. I’ll allow myself to believe that if it’s even true for one person, it will be enough to keep me writing on.
Much love.
Elle
Please keep writing, your words bring encouragement to so many.
I shall try my best. 😌
Wow! So beautiful Elle… Thank you for opening your heart and mind to write this piece!
Thank you for reading between my muddled attempts at conveying something as complicated as involuntary bravery. 😌