Brave: having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty: having or showing courage.

If someone asked you to name a brave person you know, would you list yourself? We’ve been watching Masters of the Air on Apple TV (highly recommend). What courage and bravery it must have taken those young men to continue getting in the aircraft mission after mission during WWII knowing the likelihood that they would return safely was extremely low. That type of bravery—the heroic soldier kind—is normally what people would think of when asked to name a brave person. The kind that most people will never have to face. I like to envision myself in trying scenarios sometimes. I try to picture whether I’d be a “fight or flight” gal. When we went to Costa Rica a couple of weeks ago, we did a full day of excursions with multiple stops. Although I love writing to you each week and encouraging you to do the scary things to grow—it doesn’t mean there isn’t fear associated with it. My friend had asked while we were about to hike through a jungle if I was a bit of a “worry wart.” Was my face that obvious? No offense taken. Valid question. For reference, we were about to go traipsing through the unknown with a guide who just explained that multiple types of poisonous snakes like to hide behind big leafy plants and that the plants could be poisonous as well. He told us not to touch anything and truth be told, I saw the roads on the way in, if one of us were to get bit we wouldn’t make it in time! So, I kept my hands by my side, put one foot in front of the other, and tried not to think about the stupidity if a call had to be made home explaining that I wouldn’t be returning because I willingly signed up to walk through a jungle and was bitten by a deadly snake. As I thought about my friend’s question a bit more, I realized there is a big part of me that airs on the side of caution and maybe a little worry too. But there is the other part of me that wants to be brave and experience all. the. things. But maybe bravery isn’t just marching through jungles or riding in a raft down the river with crocodiles—yes, we did that too. Maybe it’s having the courage to keep showing up in everything we do, even when it’s hard.

After we got home and settled back into the daily routines, my family got hit with Flu-B. As I cleaned and bleached every surface around the house, I thought to myself, motherhood—now that’s brave. We willingly go where the germs are holding our babies tight, knowing full well that our chances of catching them are high. And by day three, I was for lack of better words, puking my guts out. One thing they don’t tell you before having kids…you still have “mom duties” even when you’re sick. So, sick as a dog and caring for my sick kids—still showing up—that’s brave. While I was in the thick of our Flu-B misfortunes, a friend of mine texted me about her recent terrifying experience of having to take their baby to the hospital. She said she tried to be strong, but she had to remind herself to breathe because she was so scared. That’s brave. Then I started thinking about all the other motherhood scenarios that show bravery: Deciding to become a part of a blended family and love someone else’s children as your own, brave. IVF journeys, miscarriages, losing a child—and having the resilience to find beauty and gratitude in your story, that’s brave.

To be a mother is one of the bravest things any of us can do. I’ll keep trying to step out of my comfort zone and do the scary things to grow. But I’ll also be reminding myself that even when I’m scrubbing a porcelain throne instead of conquering the jungle—I’m a mom, and to put someone ahead of yourself is the bravest act of all.

Share this with a mom who might need a gentle reminder of just how brave and amazing they are.

Have a great weekend, and as always, happy reading.