A class is not a class, unless it has a lesson. As we celebrate the dojo's 13th anniversary, and reflect on the past year, several things are clear. It's been a tough haul with COVID-19 dominating the ether, and it has made us stronger as individuals, and as a community. My mom just celebrated her 85th birthday in August. Despite memory and other medical issues, she is positive, resilient, and curious about life. She values family, people, above all else. Everyone in her condo complex seems to know her name- the lady who always dresses in red or purple.
She is also a war-baby, having lived through persecution, hiding, loss, and the ensuing communist regime in war and post-war time Hungary. She, along with my dad, was one of several hundred-thousand people who fled during a brief time window of porous borders, in the aftermath of the short-lived 1956 revolution against Russia. They made a brave life for themselves in Amsterdam, then in San Diego. Her spirit and strength was forged in challenging circumstances, and, our youngsters now have their own war-stories to tell. They will be able to embellish stories for their children and grandchildren, that they lived through extraordinary times, that they adapted, that they persevered, and that they came out on the other end and thrived. They will be able to say that they were part of a family and larger community that protected them, while helping their minds continue to reach and grow. They will be braver, smarter, nimbler, and more community minded for it.
Perhaps their children, your grandchildren, will notice as they grow older, and reflect on how their parents managed to remain so positive as they face late life's challenges. Perhaps they will stride into the world more confidently, a generation of more enlightened warriors. This is my hope for them as we turn the page, and start our 14th year of classes at Karate Heroes, a lesson in every one.
She is also a war-baby, having lived through persecution, hiding, loss, and the ensuing communist regime in war and post-war time Hungary. She, along with my dad, was one of several hundred-thousand people who fled during a brief time window of porous borders, in the aftermath of the short-lived 1956 revolution against Russia. They made a brave life for themselves in Amsterdam, then in San Diego. Her spirit and strength was forged in challenging circumstances, and, our youngsters now have their own war-stories to tell. They will be able to embellish stories for their children and grandchildren, that they lived through extraordinary times, that they adapted, that they persevered, and that they came out on the other end and thrived. They will be able to say that they were part of a family and larger community that protected them, while helping their minds continue to reach and grow. They will be braver, smarter, nimbler, and more community minded for it.
Perhaps their children, your grandchildren, will notice as they grow older, and reflect on how their parents managed to remain so positive as they face late life's challenges. Perhaps they will stride into the world more confidently, a generation of more enlightened warriors. This is my hope for them as we turn the page, and start our 14th year of classes at Karate Heroes, a lesson in every one.
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