Corazón de León

INTRO: Heroes

We all (or most of us) have heroes don't we? The funny thing about heroes is that as we change we obtain new or exchange our heroes.

Band of brothers has a great clip of one of the actual guys whose story they are telling. His grandson asked him if he was a hero in the war, and he told his grandson, No, I was in a company of heroes.

Well I gotta tell ya, my heroes are my daughters. I have three, and they all grew up to be such wonderful powerful women. Self assured, confident in themselves, each of them growing and developing: kindness, tact, compassion, wisdom and grace.

Just so I don't have to say it for each one...they are beautiful, brilliant women.

D-One my eldest daughter, is a fierce competitor, and yet gracious and loving in demeanor, obviously cared for by all who get to know her. Her friends amaze me, actually it is not her friends that amaze me it is the wide diversity of personalities and how different they are from her, and yet from my observations, they'll drop anything to help her. D-One is currently battling Ovarian Cancer. She is determined to be a part of the 30% that survives longer than 5 years, we are at four years since initial diagnosis. This is the kind if person D-One is, 4 years ago late in the fall, D-One asked LifeWife and I to meet her for dinner at a Korean restaurant, we delightedly acquiesced, and it was there that she told us her diagnosis, she had been diagnosed two months earlier, D-One I asked, "Why didn't you tell us sooner? She replied "Because I didn't want to ruin your birthday Dad."

D-Two my middle daughter, a new Mom to a currently 9 month old son, GS-One, and learning all the ramifications involved in motherhood, she is reading all the books and trying to do everything just right, which is great but I would think a little tiring. She is a fine woman with a ready and heartwarming smile, cheerful and bright. Her tenacious optimism for D-One is inspiring. Her Husband, Son One (S-One) is a man who has been teaching D-Two's sisters what it is like to have a brother, teasing and tormenting them, and yet when they need it he is a brotherly loving hug for them so obviously full of love and care. D-Two told me he weeps for D-One. I've told him how much I appreciate his care love and concern for D-One and D-Three, and how much LifeWife and I love him. /==/ D-Two is a great conversationalist, and I've figured out why. She listens. She makes you feel that you have her focused attention, she asks insightful questions, she engages you.

D-Three my youngest daughter, Christmas day she was jumping on the couch, I warned her "Don't jump on the couch" ... next thing you know there we are, in Emerg on Christmas day, she must have been 3 or four at the time. She and I made several trips to Emerg... D-Three is an actioneer, she won't sit and wait, she'll get up and make it happen. She too is married, just celebrated her first anniversary and as we learn more about S-Two, I must admit we are developing a fondness for him as well. She has an amazing capacity for patience (but will not put up with nonsense) in trying circumstances, if you are ever sick or in hospital D-Three is the one you want beside you. //==// She has this annoying habit of being right and being eminently logical. She is irritatingly able to point out inconsistencies in positions or opinions.

Heart of a Lion D-One, D-Two and D-Three are all equipped with this. They fill my heart with joy/wonder/pride/awe. D-Two and D-Three consistently demonstrate selfless love in their interactions with D-One. They are so protective and giving, it makes me weep that they are so wonderfully loving towards their elder sibling. The amazing thing is that they all have the same attitude towards each other, sure there are small things that irritate them about each other, but that doesn't matter when there is a need. Not at all.

D-One's quote: from her blog
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And he said this is like life too, if you lose your job, you don't think I'm never going to find anything, you think I'm going to find something better.

He said, if you are sick, you say every day I am going to get a little bit better, more well.

For obvious reasons that really struck me. Lately I have been wondering if I am really getting better, if this new chemo protocol is working for me, doubting... This inspired me.

Screw what the doctors say. In my mind I am going to be determined. I am not going to assume the worst before the results are in-so to speak. Every day I am going to have the mindset that I am getting a little bit better than I was yesterday, that I am moving towards wellness.

I want to be a champion in jujitsu. But even more I want to be a champion in life and overcome all the obstacles set before me. And cancer, I am going to win, today is going to be my day, people say you are really tough-unbeatable, but I am going to surprise you and submit you and win.
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D-One - The Champion.