This post is all about the ‘feel good effect’ when the world
expects you not to feel good at all.
This post was inspired by my Aunt Nettie. A simple gesture can produce something great
within a Mann that isn’t expected to feel good about who he is. I love you madly Aunt Nettie. This is for you.
I recently came across an inspiring story about a woman
refusing to give up on life. Ms. Lu Ann
Cahn is a blogger and author of the book “I Dare Me: How I Rebooted and Recharged My Life.” Talking
about living testimonies, this lady doesn’t allow one day to be left behind as
insignificant.
At 33, doctors removed Lu Ann’s large intestine, due to
ulcerative colitis. Two years later, she
beat breast cancer – undergoing a mastectomy.
Her 1992 report, “Breast Cancer: My Personal Story,” won an Emmy. You’d think that would conclude her story of
tragedy to triumph, right?
Well, at 45, doctors discovered Lu Ann had kidney
cancer. Real talk. A kidney and a rib were removed as a
result. She recovered from all of this,
but still fell into an emotional slump in 2009.
She dug herself out of this emotional pit known as grief and defeatism,
by seeking new adventures and blogging about them.
Lu Ann stepped out of her comfort zone and partook in a
polar bear plunge. As if the icy
temperature of the water weren’t enough to blog about, Lu Ann entered a skating
audition for the “Philly Roller Girls.” Then, after a major snowstorm, she took
to sliding down the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. That’s right!
Those same stairs that made Rocky Balboa the people’s champ, Read about
it (One Year of Firsts.com).
I’m all too familiar with the knack that strong women have
for inspiring. It’s second nature to
them. I’ll give you a prime
example: My Aunt Nettie is the youngest
of my Mom’s 5 sisters. The loss of my
Nana has been an emotional anvil for her to bear. Feel me?
Most recently, my Aunt Nettie sent me some pics of a young
MannofStat in the company of my Nana. As
you can see in this particular pic, strong women have always been the bookends
to my physical existence. My beloved
Nana on my right (your left) and my beautiful Moms to my left.
This pic was taken so long ago, but I remember everything
about it as if it were taken yesterday.
We had just returned from Pearson’s Sporting Goods, when my next door
neighbor, Mr. Vince captured this moment worth cherishing.
I was 12 years old – weighing in at a generous 91
pounds. My Moms was totally against to
idea of me playing organized football (125 lbs and under). I have every reason to believe my Nana
accompanying us on a quest for a football mouthpiece, was a display of support
for her grandson’s desire to suit up and compete. Na mean?
Not only did I obtain the necessary apparatus to prevent me
from a broken jaw, but more importantly I shared some quality time with two of
the strongest branches, of my family tree.
These ladies are the reason my heart pounds for a woman that exhibits
strength when she’s expected to wither in the coldest moments of life’s
setbacks.
These ladies will forever be remembered for their moxy and
crisis management at a time when a young MannofStat was oblivious to the crisis
at hand. Word is bond! I’m thankful for their strength and
guidance. The inheritance of their
“Go-Getter” spirit dwells throughout my being. I’m ever so thankful for that.
And I’m especially thankful for my Aunt Nettie digging
through the pitfalls of her own grief – only to emerge with memories inspiring
to her nephew. Asante Aunt Nettie! Nana’s fighting spirit has somehow found a
way to flourish through our responses to the trials and tribulations of today. I’m consumed by the “feel good effects.” I
hope you are too. Thanks be to God! And Happy Thanksgiving
Much Love,
MannofStat
Copyright © 2013 by Leroy Elwood Mann
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