Brenda: from the Norse, meaning sword, or torch.

A few weeks ago, I returned to where I was living, in a small community called Freedom. The landlord was tearing down the old pig barn on the farm, and I wanted the old windows for some projects I had planned.  I grabbed a ladder, and a hammer, and removed 3 windows. I then decided to help my friend, David, tear the shingles off the roof. Without even thinking, I climbed up the ladder and onto the roof.  As we ripped up the shingles and threw them to the ground, the landlords brother, Garrett, started demolishoning the porch attached to the pig barn. The building was a shaking while we were up there, but we continued on, with faith that we were ok.  I continued to help the guys until I had to return to Stony to teach the kids classes.

My friend told me later that Garrett had asked him after I left, if I was a Tom boy. David said, no, not really. "Wow"! He said. "My wife would never have climbed up on the roof like that."  He commented on how hard I worked, and without fear of getting dirty or hurt, and with full confidence.

The next day, Friday after work, I returned to Freedom and continued to help clear up debris from the barn.  Garrett was there again, and I helped him clear up wooden debris while he ran the bobcat.  Garrett and I had met for the first time the day before. We chatted on and on, and at one point, he asked me, "I'm' curious, Brenda, what is it you do for work?"  I explained how I worked on a merchandising team at Home Depot. Garrett asked a few questions about my work, and I explained what I did. All he said was oh, ok. He seemed a bit puzzled, but I thought I had explained the best I could. Then I added, that I also teach martial arts to children. All of a sudden he lit up and said, "ohhhhh, ok. So that's why you are the way you are."

I thought of this for some time, and realized that I had been defined by my Kung fu.  He recognized my hard work, respect, lack of fear, and confidence. He automatically contributed those traits to my martial arts training.  I believe I have acquired some good characteristics from my experiences in life. However, Kung fu has given me the tools to hone in on those characteristics, and to acquire them as a way of life. It's made me who I am today. It's defined me, in a way I can be proud of, and in a way that I can be a positive example to my children, and to their children.