Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Think Out Loud [22] Are you a fighter?


Last week a woman ran up to my 76 year old aunt, yanked her purse free, and then bolted. How did Aunt Sherry react? With absolute fierceness, after all, nursing her cantankerous husband through cancer will give you an edge over mere mortal assholes. My aunt chased after her attacker, jotted down the license plate, and got that .... (too many cuss words are hitting me at once) criminal arrested. Just the day before, the thief roughed up the person she was robbing. 

Back in June, my mom's purse was stolen out of her car a week before going on vacation. Quick thieving bastards. If my mom had gotten the chance she would have pummeled the assholes into the ground. I am not exaggerating. 

These two women grew up on a farm with a Great Depression era mother. They've survived and triumphed over many struggles. And when pressed, they'll kick your ass. Would I have chased down that thief? Or busted the balls of the man who smashed my car window and stole my purse (though I do not own a purse)? I'm a mix of impulsive, cerebral, and sensitive. I have no freakin' clue what part of my personality would show up to the party. How about you? Are you a fighter? 

I say it every week because I mean it, Think Out Loud in one awesome meme. Want to share a picture you love? How about a quote or song? Maybe a poem or random thought that won't leave you alone? Anything. You can post anything you want. 

14 comments:

  1. Great post! We read about so many kick-ass heroines in books, we rarely think about situations that arise in our own lives that require a bit of ass-kickery. I can be a fighter. I can be especially fierce when it comes to my children, sometimes too much so. One day my son came home from 3rd grade with bloody scratches on his chest where a 5th grader had attacked him on the bus and I was ready to beat the crap out of everyone from the bus driver to that kid's parents. I had a meeting with the principal and explained that I simply don't have the type of temperament where someone can put their hands on my child and not have me running the risk of a prison sentence, so she needs to get it together in her school and on her buses. So yes. I can definitely be a fighter when the situation warrants! (The situation was addressed and that child removed from riding the bus the remainder of the year.)

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    1. That's a great line about not having the type of temperament. It's strange to filter all that righteous anger into a meeting with the principal. I've been there, but inside I wanted to go at everyone involved. Your son is lucky to have someone so strong on his side. Someone hurt him and he'll always know you went to bat for him. Two years ago at bedtime my oldest asked me if I thought he was ugly. Three questions later I learned kids were telling him all these terrible things and pushing him around. I had the principal on the phone that night. It proved to be a terrible school year. Here's to fighter moms!

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  2. Wow. That's the meaning of fighter. I think most people, me included, would be so surprised that they wouldn't know what happened until it would too late.

    That's the spirit though. We all should be like that.
    Amazing post, Robyn. I think I will join think out loud. Maybe I can join today but I don't have constant internet connection and it's hard. I'll try.:)

    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. The shock factor for me is huge. I've always been surprised when someone suddenly cusses me out or physically comes after me. My mom and Aunt Sherry have been my heroes since I was itty bitty and their unflinching ability to fight back is just another attribute I admire. They're cool chicks.

      You should absolutely join the Think Out Loud meme. I know you'll enjoy sharing. Yay! (no pressure)

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  3. I'd like think of myself as a fighter.
    Sometimes it's hard and I end up disappointed in myself. and other times I do fight. It's the best feeling in the world.

    Great post!

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    1. I know that disappointment too well, which can be worse than the offending action. And you're so right about how good it feels to fight back! There is power in it. Here's to chicks that rock.

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  4. You come from some great stock, Robyn! :) I like that the women in your family have such pluck. I dare say you'd react similarly. ;) I'm not sure how I'd react in that situation, but I'd like to say I'd fight. I DO know that if someone tried to come between me and my kids, this mama would be FIERCE!

    How's your week going? I hope all is well.

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    1. FIERCE is right, but I think you'd be that way with any kid, not just your own. I have been a deer in the headlights in a couple violent situations. I think my brain just takes over. If someone mugged me, I'd probably reach for my bag to get my camera to snap their photo only to realize the thieving jerk just stole it, then I'd go after him/her to get my camera back. In the struggle to retrieve my bag, I'd render them stupefied by my autopilot behavior. That is my prediction.

      My week has been sweaty and exhausting, but there is something wonderful about earning the next journey. I'm even sleeping good (a rarity). You have been posting like a crazy person! I'm slow to catch up, but I can't wait to read your reviews!

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  5. Oh Robyn, I'm so sorry to hear that but super glad that everything is okay and so is your aunt.

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    1. Thank you. I can't believe someone would rob her. She's the person to aspire to be with her huge heart and sense of humor and steel backbone. I was so proud and scared at the same time when I heard what happened. And for my mom, good thing the bad guys got away.

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  6. Great post. It had me thinking how I'd react if someone snatched my bag. Well, I can't run yet, so I won't be chasing the thief. I think I'd look around me for the nearest stone. I have a good aim. :)

    Have a great weekend, Robyn.

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    1. That's awesome! I have terrible aim, but I sure love that you'd throw a stone at the bad guy. I'd cheer you on. You have a great weekend too, Kaykay!!

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  7. I'm with you, I have no idea what part of my personality will come out in any given situation. I've brought my fighter out before and sometimes just been too shocked to act. I was attacked once getting off a school bus. The guy came at me from behind, pulled my hair and sat on me digging in his knees to my side until my ribs cracked. I never stood a chance of fighting back, but my friend did come and get him off of me. He's in prison now 18 years later. I absolutely abhor thieves. We work hard for what we've got and I know karma will come back to those that went after your family's things. Love your personal posts and learning more about you! Heading into my email to try and answer all these :D So sorry I haven't been as verbose lately. So super busy with school starting back and still trying to kick this ecoli. I hope you and your boys are adjusting well and school is going good! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

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    1. What a terrible thing to happen. Thank goodness for your friend. My mom ran every morning when I was in high school, but one morning a man attacked her and tried to drag her off the sidewalk into the ditch. She screamed and dragged him into the road. He finally gave up and ran away. She took one of the dobermans with her after that. She's one of those hardcore fighters. I fought back once and it wasn't the smartest decision. A guy grabbed my boob and ripped my shirt open. I was fourteen and I punched him in the face three times real quick, which is plain crazy. What the heck was I doing? If it weren't for my guy friend holding him back he would have snapped me like a twig. He was huge and enraged. His eyes watered and everything. I heard him punch a tree a block away. Karma will kick those thieves asses big time or they're coming back as ants. Ant societies are brutal! You're in my thoughts and I hope you feel back on track soon, Jaclyn. No sorries about not being chatty. I shouldn't be chatty because I have little box islands all over my tiny living space.

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