Heroic. 13/51. #LifeThisWeek. 39/2021.
As I am the instigator of these optional prompts you might think ‘ah that makes it easier to write’….well actually it doesn’t at times. This is one such time.
I was telling my husband about it and he said this about me. I wasn’t asking, but he told me he saw me as a hero.
“Displaying great courage under difficult circumstances and I see that in you”
He would say any more…ha! Man of few words and apt to give praise very rarely. However, it was not only related to overcoming cancer, but he didn’t elaborate and I know him well enough to know it’s cool that he sees me that way.
Heroic: adjective
having the characteristics of a hero or heroine; admirably brave or determined.”heroic deeds”
(of language or a work of art) grand or grandiose in scale or intention.
“one passes under pyramids and obelisks, all on a heroic scale”
Heroic: noun
behaviour or talk that is bold or dramatic.”the England star is getting special treatment because of his World Cup heroics”
heroic(a.) Synonyms: brave, valiant, courageous, intrepid, bold, daring, gallant, fearless, dauntless, noble, magnanimous. heroic(a.)
Some Heroic Actions and Attitudes by People I Know.
- My late mother. She overcame intense shyness, some anxiety and being deaf in one ear, to eventually make her way into a new group of friends and social circles when Dad’s promotion at work brought us to Sydney leaving behind her family and all she knew. Dad told me recently that she did not want to make that move. I understood that from my own experiences in 2014-2015.
- My eldest granddaughter. She’s someone who has overcome (and continues to monitor and do well) a serious life-changing auto-immune condition. She had managed it with support from her Mum of course but as anyone with a serious health condition knows, it is UP to you…always. Onya Miss J.
- My youngest granddaughter. Turning 6 very soon, her way of arriving in the world set the scene for future heroic and an attitude determination. A breech baby who refused to be turned, so Mum gave birth naturally (under safe conditions) and then when she broke her wrist a year ago, took the hospitalisation, surgery, and recovery in her stride. So cool….about it, I mean!
- My late paternal grandmother. She fell in love, during World War 1, in England, with a Scottish-born soldier from Australia, recovering in a hospital near her home. She left everything and everyone she knew to get on a War Bride ship to sail to Australia. She always hoped to go back home to visit but circumstances of poverty prevented that. Became a mum to 4 by the time she was in her 30s, and it was the Depression. Sadly, her husband died of injuries in a workplace accident. She may never have liked her life after that but she was heroic enough to see it through, dying of old age in 1985.
- My husband. Shhhh. I looked at the list and thought, I have no men on it. He is heroic in so much he does and is to me and our family. Early, medical retirement aged 30 was not how life should have been for him, and his family, but he, over time, made some great opportunities come his way to improve his health, our lives together and more. He is quiet, self-effacing but every day, in often debilitating chronic pain, he makes the most of each waking moment. He makes me laugh every.single.day.
And then, there are the Women of Courage featured here.
Back in 2019 I heard Jane Caro speak at Newcastle Writers Festival about her latest book Accidental Feminists. After that, I realised I knew many, many women would could share their own stories of courage if they were prepared to. More said yes than no. Then over 2019 and into 2020 over 50 posts were published here.
I am selecting a few, where I see heroic actions and attitudes went hand in hand in the courage of those women. I honour each and every woman’s story.
Debbie Harris’ Story.
From her post, back in 2019, here is her story. It tells itself. Her blog is here.
“We all need to be brave in our own way and make the most of what life throws at us. It’s funny that anyone who gets a bravery award says they didn’t feel brave they just did what they had to do at the time. Those were my exact words when I was given the award”.
Deb Morton’s Story.
Deb’s second son, is friend and author Rick Morton. His latest book “My Year of Living Vulnerably” is a must-listen/read. His facebook page has more. I am in awe of his words and more. Her story, awful as it is, is here. I so appreciate Deb’s involvement with this.
“I am a better person for what I have gone through , I am so lucky that my little daughter saved me , the fact that she needed me , helped, I thank God every day she came into my life and I know that I have passed on to her the ability to deal with whatever life throws at her, she is a hardworking and capable person that I can be proud of!”
Jane Caro’s Story.
In her earlier book, and as part of her story, Jane wrote of her anguish when her first child (now very well adult teacher & Mum herself) was very sick in the Children’s Hospital in Camperdown and how a doctor’s words, below helped. Follow Jane here.
I asked for help (as going to therapy had taught me to do) and spoke to neo-natologist and grief counsellor Dr Peter Barr. He said these three sentences to me that began to crack the carapace of anxiety I had been living behind. “There’s nothing special about you, there’s nothing special about Polly (my daughter). Terrible things can happen, and they can happen to anyone. Safety is an illusion, danger is reality.”
Catching up with Jane Caro: April 2019.
By the way, IF you would like to share YOUR story, I would be happy to send you the 5 questions…let me know via an email to
denyse@ozemail.com.au as I see no reason why I cannot have some more Women of Courage posts into 2021.
- Getting Started: Women of Courage 2019 Series.
- 2020 Image For the Series.
DELIGHTED to ANNOUNCE: 2021 will have a series of Women of Courage.
After April, there will be more stories to share.
This is what I wrote today to quite a few women who I follow on twitter, many of whom I have known for some years:
Hello
In 2019 and into 2020 I had a series of posts written by women, answering 5 questions from me about being courageous. Given recent events here in Australia, we know women’s voices need to be heard more. I am asking you, would you be interested in taking part in 2021 series.. It can be using your name or anonymously.
Do let me know YES or NO…and if it’s a yes, your best contact email please.
Thank you,
Denyse Whelan
The page here takes you to the 56 stories already shared.
https://www.denysewhelan.com.au/women-of-courage/
Goodness me, with this post we are 1/4 of the way through 2021.
Make of that what you will!
If you celebrate the coming Easter festival, may it be enjoyable.
I know teachers (parents and kids) in N.S.W. schools are looking forward to end of Term One and some holiday time.
Denyse.
Link Up #233
Life This Week. Link Up #233
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Were you someone who shared your story in 2020?
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