"I respect my opponent, but I will not live in fear....."

It is not in my DNA to walk through the world in fear.  It is also not in my DNA to not respect my opponent, as a worthy one warrants it.

Maybe it's because early on I had some large life misfortunes that changed me quick.  My dad passing as a teen, and the many ancillary things that linger long afterwards. We handle things differently now with young people. Not so much back then.

Then as I got older, I fought some demons that made me my own worst enemy at times.  (It was not drugs, booze or anything illegal).   When you are the opponent, you are more than a worthy adversary.  Then at about 31, things got better.  Way better and I was able to put life into another gear and be better to myself and others. Not saying this story is more meaningful than yours, or someone you know, but it is mine. 

Sure, there have been some tough times since then, but there have been countless more good times than bad.  Yeah, this virus thing stinks and it's a real life alter-er. But after being in life changing situations before, as have you I'm sure, I choose to believe this virus thing, while very serious, is life altering, and temporary.  Science and medicine will catch up to it, and defeat it, but not before there is real damage done to us all, and for that I feel brokenhearted.

I will respect it. I am, and will follow the words and advice of people far smarter and more qualified than me to protect myself, and the people around me, as we all can. And I hope you will too. But with that said, what we can all do is stare this thing down.  In the end, we will stand tall when this thing lays down, but that day is not yet here....

But until then, I will not live in fear.