Moments

I believe there are moments in our lives that define us. Sometimes we recognize them immediately and sometimes we do not. But that moment changes you. Oh, there are many moments in our lives that change us. From tasting an awesome new milk, then refusing any others from that moment on. A moment when a stranger sends you a message on the computer and fifteen years later you are married with two children.

Then there are the moments that change the way you view yourself. Some of these moments are beyond your control. Meaning you did not put the moment in your life, someone else did but it is there and you have to deal with it because it directly effects you. I believe these moments are harder. In a split second, your life has changed. Will it be for the better or worse? Only time will reveal that. But in that second you immediately see life, and yourself, differently. You question your ability to cope, or change.

Then there are the moments that just make you angry. A moment where words cut so deep into your soul that you can barely stand. You only have seconds to decide if you are going to fight for what is right or let it go. Either way the change will be there. You will see life in an alternate way. This moment for me came in high school during a very traumatic time for my family. This is the moment, for the first time in my life, that I had to decide to fight or flee. I fought. I did not fight for me, but for my family. They, however, have no clue this battle took place. To this day they do not know. Oh, of course my parents know. But I'm not sure I ever told them the whole story. The reason I fought. The words that stabbed through my heart like a hot blade. But they are still there in my memory. They still hurt. They were vicious and cruel. Now, whether they deserved my slinging the girl's face into a brick wall is debatable I grant you. But to this day (even as I type) thinking of those eleven words send me to tears. Mean does begin to cover my feelings. I hope no one has ever treated her the way she did me, and my family, that day. It is too harsh to even wish that upon her.

Moments are simple. They are quick. They are defining. Sometimes you only have moment to stand up for yourself or those you love.