The Brave (04/27/2025)

I disappeared after supper dishes were done. I was in my room trying to figure out how I could just disappear and never have to go back to Heelan High School. I felt so vulnerable there: new kid with only half a uniform because my blazer hadn’t come in yet who spoke with a southern accent. I was writing in my journal when I heard the door open.

My dad came in and sat down on the bed next to me. “Hiding isn’t the path for you” he told me. I was surprised that he’d missed me but even more that he’d discovered my motive.

“I don’t want to go back there. They don’t like me and they aren’t even trying to give me a chance,” I told him.

“So, you’re just going to hide until what?” He asked me to which I simply shrugged my shoulders. “No, you’re a Boyle. Boyles are brave.” “I’m not brave,” I admitted to him.

“But you could be,” he countered. “The brave aren’t the protected and secure. The brave are the vulnerable who act anyway.” Then he shared with me that he was afraid in his new job at Sioux Bee Honey. He’d been a doer – plant manager – for years. He knew how to do that. But now he was sales director. “What do I know about sales?” he asked me. And when I looked at him, I could see in his eyes that he was openly telling me he wasn’t confident or sure he’d make it. I straightened up and listened harder.

“I’m not telling you that it will be easy. I’m just telling you to be yourself, show up, and try.”

I wish I could tell you that talk opened the door to my success at Heelan High School.

Unfortunately, it did not. Not even getting the blazer helped. But that talk did open my eyes to see others, like myself, who were trying, who were showing up. And I gravitated to them. And together, in all our vulnerability, we made it through to graduation.

I never forgot my dad’s words or encouragement. It’s a good thing. As my husband and I moved about so many times because of his work, I was forever “starting over” and feeling very vulnerable. But I’d think of him and show up anyway. And usually, within a short period of time, I’d find a way to participate, to be a part of that place.

I remembered my father’s words yesterday at the oddest time. My husband and I were out for dinner for our anniversary. He was parking the car. I was standing by the door. Two men walked up, one on crutches and the other walking behind and talking nervously. The one in front on crutches told the other. “Don’t worry. It will be okay. We will be okay. I’m going inside to see if they will let me use the restroom.” Then he went inside and the other waited outside, watching for the bus. And I remembered my dad’s words: “The brave aren’t the protected and secure. The brave are the vulnerable who act anyway.”

As we journey in faith, hope and love we find the journey challenging, even frightening at times. We can find ourselves feeling vulnerable to those who don’t believe what we believe or love who we love. But we are called to act in faith, to rely on hope, and to love anyway. And if we look at history, we will realize that we are preceded by a myriad of others who did just that – who didn’t allow their vulnerability to stop them from living in Christ.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.