A Portrait of Courage

This week, Olympic watching fans around the world felt their hearts break for Canada's figure skater Joannie Rochette. I don't think any of us can imagine how she pulled herself together to compete (and win a bronze medal) after the loss of her mother. It was an excruciating fresh wound and I'm sure it was the hardest thing she's ever done. It took a lot of courage for her to get out and skate so well while her heart was broken. She did it in front of the world and we all felt a bit of the pain we might feel if that was our scenario.
In the few instances when I dare to imagine how hard life would be without my mom, I always see myself taking a significant time on a "break" from the real world ~ definitely not competing on a world stage.
I'm sure she will take time to mourn, but I think she has become a face of true courage.