Courage

Define courage. Probably a little different for everyone. Some definitions may involve words like bravery and valor. Others may use words like will-power and determination. My definition was solidified today when I walked into the little pizza shop where I work.

Same as any other day, smile and nod to the delivery guys, wave to the pizza man, chat with the cooks, set up the dining room, go about your business.

"That's big stuff, you know." "What are you going to do?" "There's people you can talk to."

I heard the owner talking to one of the delivery girls at the front of the restaurant. I listened in a bit, but wasn't quite getting the whole story. I finally meandered my way into earshot and heard the word "baby." Delivery girl is pregnant. I walked over to her and gave her a hug, and offered my congratulations. She's about my age, maybe a bit younger, high school education, off and on boyfriend, living with mom, working as a delivery girl at the local pizza shop.

"So what are you going to do," asked the owner.

"Well, I certainly can't kill it, I don't believe that. And I don't think I can give it up after carrying it for 9 months. So I guess I'm keeping it."

Done, decision made, no hesitation. Delivery girl, in her 20 some years of life had it all figured out. She was pregnant, knew what her responsibilities were, and took charge of the situation. She didn't second-guess herself. She knew what her morals were, and what was right for her life.

Here I am, bitching and moaning about what to do with my life, and delivery girl has one of the most frightful situations thrust upon her. Does she complain? No. Does she have any clue how she's going to pull this off? No. Does it matter? No.

What gives one that courage? Why doesn't everyone have it? Do we all have it, but maybe just don't use it?

I still don't have a word-for-word definition of courage. But somewhere in the fuzziness of what I think it means, I now picture a pizza delivery girl excited about her baby.