I've Got the Blues!

Actually, I've got the BLUE. Meaning, I passed my karate belt test tonight, and am now sporting a very fashionable, not-quite-"BYU blue"-but-still-makes-me-sing-the-BYU-fight-song blue belt! Sensei described it as entering the "midpoint" of my quest for black. It's a long, tough journey, but as with life, the journey is what really counts.

I spent much of the test trying to be quick and powerful and accurate. I spent a small portion of the test doing some sparring and getting pounded by my test mate, who was much younger but higher ranked and certainly a lot better at sparring. Luckily my platelet count is good, and thank goodness for my bobble-head helmet. I think we looked like Rock-em Sock-em Robots, but it was a good workout.

And then the rest of the test was spent just feeling so grateful and amazed that I was alive -- really alive. Not just maintaining a heartbeat or a brain wave. I was doing things I "shouldn't" be capable of doing, having been a mushbrain for more than two years. It was an amazing feeling, and I am once again grateful for the many good people who have not only prayed for my life, but for my quality of life.

The only thing that wasn't wonderful about tonight was the fact that this was my first belt test without my son. Our paths have diverged for the first time since we donned our white belts together. He was not invited to test -- not yet, anyway. He was disappointed by that, but not discouraged. He'll be ready soon enough, and maybe he'll start advancing faster than me at some point. (After all, he has boundless energy and all of his brain!) He was a good sport, helping me practice before my test, and eager to see my new belt. He's learning to enjoy the journey, too.

By the way, I racked (what's left of) my brain for an appropriate song to add to my blog soundtrack, using the word "blue". But so far everything I've come up with uses blue in the sad way, and this is a happy thing! So instead I have this very humbling song that I remember from the tournament scene in the Karate Kid movie:

Try to believe

Though the going gets rough

That you gotta hang tough to make it

History repeats itself

Try and you’ll succeed

Never doubt that you’re the one

And you can have your dreams!

Fight ‘til the end

Cause your life will depend

On the strength that you have inside you

Ah you gotta be proudstarin’ out in the cloud

When the odds in the game defy you

Try your best to win them all

And one day time will tell

When you’re the one that’s standing there

You’ll reach the final bell!

You’re the best -- around!

Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down!