Portraits of Courage

Definition:

Sometimes there comes an individual into the perifery of our lives, and if we are very lucky, that someone touches us directly and powerfully overwhelms us by their quiet presence. They may not be flashy and draw attention for their dynamism, but if they do catch our eye it is not because of the flash that we are touched in some way. It is a quality that is deeper than surface, something within, that comes through to capture our imaginations and dreams - this is what we call heart...

One may be diminutive, either because of age or physical stature - one may stand tall, but it isn't the physical that brings their frame into our view and into our lives - one may be readily identifiable because of their visage, or anonymous because theirs was not a life story put forth by circumstance to bring their face into our circle - one may be powerful in ways that move nations, or powerful merely because of a presence of mind about simple things that matter in life and who brings that to bear in the life of someone else - and, for most of us, we are the true beneficiaries of their often unintended gifts...

Courage comes clothed in many faces - it always touches us deeply, because it always vibrates with an appeal that is archetypal and universal, and we cannot help but be awed for the privilege of being witness to it...

Herewith are stories of persons who have been dealt circumstances in their lives that were incredible and daunting challenges, and the fact that they rose to meet them with everything they had is their amazing story...