Dipping my toe into the water...finally

“Heeey, Dad?”

“What do you want?”

(In a rushed voice) “Can I join this one karate class? I got this flyer at school and I think it would be super cool and please? And it would be awesome? And pretty please with a cherry on top?”

(Dad views flyer)

“I’ll have to talk with you mom, but probably.”

This is how I imagine the start of what would become my way of life began: an overly excited seven-year-old coming home from school asking her dad if she could become a ninja, something straight out of the movies.

Over 17 years later and I’m stepping my big toe away from theoretically opening my own place to actually starting a (test) class: eight Sunday mornings introducing basic self-defense and traditional Okinawan karate to potentially just one student.

I can’t help but wonder, “Where is my safety net?”

Where are my fellow instructors: Sensei Steve and Sensei Brandon? Where are my upper-belt students: Patricia, Andrew or Robert?

The realization that to start something new, someone had to decide to try is attacking me like an allergic reaction to peanuts. Yet, within the same reflection, I also know I am ready. In spirit, those who have gone before me are and will always be with me.

 

Sorry it's backwards. From Master Sharon English to my parents:
(You guys are great. I appreciate your support and your friendship. You did a great job with the scorekeeping (and I know it was a lot of work). Jennifer did as superior job. Her positive attitude and willingness to try will help her excel in everything she does. It is a reflection of great parents. Thanks again. Sharon) - March 1999

As the seven-year-old naive child, I had a lot of learning to do, but looking back I can see just how much support I had from others; people believed in me. I hope to be even half the person others were and still are to me.

Wish me patience and understanding,

Jenn

And so it begins

"Is this real?" I asked myself.

I looked in my box and there were four envelopes from people I've never met and placed I've yet to see. The envelopes collectively contained 33 thank-you cards waiting to be used.

"This is real." I told myself as I walked gingerly past others' desks thinking of who I should write to first. In a sense, the answer was right in front of me. I was to write to the people who aided in my mission; Finding something to be grateful for in each member of my entire school community, in less than year.

However, these wonderful people would not be the first on my quest. Instead I had come into the mailroom to drop off my first batch of thank yous when I checked my box.

I began instead with a pen, a few 3x5 neon-colored index cards and addressed those in my immediate community first: 

"Thank you for all your help at gathering. I would have been lost without you."

"Your relationship gives me hope."

"I feel a part of the community because of you."

Something tells me this will be a wonderful journey...