Our Family: My Indomitable Spirit

Thursday evening , Cassie graduated from a light blue Taekwondo belt to a dark blue one. That means that she has about five more levels to achieve in her quest to become a black belt. I guess this was the seventh Taekwondo graduation that we've attended. While each ceremony is special, this one marked the culmination of a year that has been particularly difficult for Cassie. A year filled with gains, unexpected losses and challenges has caused her to grow up and assume a little more independence than we had planned. And, she has hardly ever complained. So, on Thursday night, it was absolutely appropriate that Cassie was lauded for embodying the Taekwondo tenet of "The Indomitable Spirit."

I don't make a habit of discussing my kid's accomplishments in public. I don't brag about her grades or her test scores or her reading level. But, I've decided that this might be one feat that deserves a little public praise. On Thursday night, Cassie had to break a 3/4 inch pine board with some sort of leaping kick. Board breaking is a standard part of graduation and in the past, Cassie has always done it on the first try. For whatever reason, it wasn't as easy this time. So, under the tutelage of the two senior masters, and with about 30 other graduates and their families watching, Cassie kicked and kicked until she finally broke the board. After she was finished, she flung herself into my arms so that no one could see her tears, which was just fine because it prevented everyone from seeing mine.

The master instructors praised Cassie's "Indomitable Spirit," and the entire studio applauded and cheered. As I listened, I realized that they didn't even know half the story. You see, over the past year, Cassie has risen to every personal challenge thrown at her. She has assumed primary responsible for teaching Lacey how to navigate the many settings of life in the U.S. - family life, the neighborhood, the bus, school, to mention a few. She has taught Lacey about personal hygiene and style; the role of a sister and daughter; what friendship is; how to enjoy books; how to be a good winner and loser; how to have a doll tea party; and how to love pets. The list is endless. The other day I came downstairs and Cassie was actually helping Lacey memorize a children's poem about being an American citizen. Over the past eight months, while I lacked the energy to do many of the simplest things, Cassie has never complained. Instead, she has voluntarily assumed responsibility for helping.

So now I'm going to publicly praise my kid, and shout from the proverbial mountaintop. Because Cassie has been My Indomitable Spirit, full of resolution, grit and courage. And on Thursday night, she deserved every bit of praise and applause that she received.