Putting on a brave face is tough but one mum explains why she does it
In times of tragedy it can be hard to continue life filled with hope and optimism.
But we do, hoping for things to change, optimistic that these events won't occur again.
It's part of the role we play in motherhood, mainly because we don't want our children to ever experience fear.
In light of recent events in Las Vegas, Melissa Fenton, has expressed how she continues to put on a brave face for her sons, because they need to see that.
She writes: "Mothers put on your brave face, because you need it now more than ever."
Running through a list of tragic events which have occurred Stateside since she first became pregnant, the mum recalls some chilling and frightening events, yet she maintains a strong demeanour.
"It’s just what mothers do. In 2012 at an elementary school in Connecticut, 28 lives perished. I also had a first grader at the time, and to let him march out the door the next day and go to school took every ounce of courage I had, but I did it."
"Brave face on again. It’s just what mothers do," commented the mum-of-four.
Melissa, knows that she can't keep her children in bubble wrap, and no matter what, she can't stop her children from living their lives.
"A movie theatre shooting? Now do I never let my teens go to movies again? Brave face – it was on again. It’s just what mothers do."
However, so much has happened that Mum now has a very, very tired, brave face.
"It’s well worn and weary, anxiously distraught – yet always available. But even though it gets harder and harder to put on everyday, it’s even more necessary now."
"I can’t keep my kids under my roof and sheltered. I can’t wilt under the news of tragedy and hopelessness, and suffocate under a blanket of 'what ifs' and constant worry."
While Melissa cannot guarantee her children a completely safe future, she can guarantee that she will continue to show her four boys her brave face, so it is the last thing they see when walking out the door each day.
"And maybe- just maybe- they will go out into the world remembering what courage and faith looks like, and be reminded that life is for LIVING, not HIDING."
"Brave faces. Because that’s just what mothers do."
In a time of much uncertainty, Melissa's post has reminded us that life has to go on, it's not easy, but it is possible – brave faces.
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