Raising Braves

And so it is that a boy child grows within me. What of raising this tiger of a child into a man? When faced with my daughter's coming into the world I thought long and hard of what it would mean to raise a girl child in this hostile place. I thought of the many ways I would need to arm her, physically, emotionally, and even mentally…but what of a boy in this world wherein honor and integrity take a back seat to self centered righteousness and impious power?

What I am most consumed with at the present moment is how to create the Brave of years past. How does one instill honor into a young man in a society wherein economic status means more than ethical livelihood? How does one instill a personal pride when we are bombarded with manipulated media images of physical perfection? How does one temper that very pride so as to avoid nurturing another Narcissus into existence? How does one nurture strength of body and heart, while emphasizing the need for compassion? And how does one breed into their boy child stoicism while encouraging the shameless shedding of tears? Most of all, how do we allow for machismo and yet instill a greater sense of connectedness and global responsibility? Are theses the things that every mother thinks about or am I alone on this one?

I recall the story of an elderly traditional Navajo man. He often shares his insights with a dear friend of mine. The story began in the summer of his seventh year. His mother woke him up in the middle of the night to send him to the neighbor’s house for some needed supply. As the nights passed she continued to wake him, each time requesting that he go further. She then began to insist that he run the great distances of his moonlit journeys. Eventually the winter set in, as did the bitter cold. He was still awoken, still sent out, still expected to run and he did so without complaint for he trusted in the purpose behind her request. Years later, he explains that what she was doing was making him strong. She was making him into a Warrior. Not a fighter, but a strong man, brave and devoted, not only able, but willing to run the dawn for his mother, his people, his honor.