Bravery

I’d like to think that I am brave…that in terms of bravery I’ve succeeded… but when I look back on my life I wonder…how much bravery have I needed? I’m a 67 year old white male…this is a good place to begin as no one has ever hated me because of the color of my skin. I’ve never been afraid to walk alone…I’ve never felt I wasn’t free I’ve never had the chance to be brave in the face of bigotry. I have never been abused, embarrassed or made to feel shame… I’ve never had another person call me a derogatory name. I’ve never had to be brave when someone attacked the God in whom I believe. No one has ever questioned my religion…how I pray, or dress…or grieve. I am heterosexual…It’s the way I was diagrammed… I’ve never had to bravely say to the world…accept me for who I am. I was a teacher…now retired…having spent a career in academics… but I’ve never had to summon the bravery it takes…to teach in a pandemic. I’ve never had the bravery to tell my family we could not pay our rent… to look them in their eyes and say…our money’s all been spent. I was not a nurse, a doctor , a policeman, a fireman or a soldier I was never in the fray I never had to show the bravery…these people exhibit every day. I’ve had an easy and a wonderful life…I’ve enjoyed the ride upon this wave and I am thankful because of who I am…I’ve never needed to be brave… And I am grateful to all of you who have been…all you heroes I’ve seen made… by doing what you know is right even when you've been afraid… I shall always admire who you are…all of you how your bravery inspires…how it stirs… and I only hope that someday… I can add my bravery to yours.