Wenlido
I graduated from high school and was eager to kick over the traces of my small town. My heart held no fear, only dreams of an exciting life. Winnipeg delivered. I attended university and met my husband and... I had many great adventures.
When I moved from Winnipeg (population 702,396) to Greater Vancouver (population 2,132,800), my confidence was shaken. Are the streets safe? What would I do if something happened? These questions haunted my sleepless nights.
Trying to calm my anxiety, I signed up for a women's self-defence course--Wenlido. The class was led by a capable and caring instructor. I learnt to de-escalate problems before they arose by initiating a conversation; aim for the knee caps, not the crotch; and how to break out of a wrist hold. The class culminated with the ultimate challenge--breaking a board with your hand. If I were successful, nothing could stop me. If I failed... If I failed, I could break my hand.
The instructor and my fellow participants cheered me on. "Come on, Leanne, you've got this. Slice that board in half. Visualize your hand sailing right through."
I swung my hand back and then forward. Down... Down... Down. Snap. The board broke. My hand didn't.
I walked out of that class with my head held high. Whatever happened, I was ready.
written on December 13, 2005
On this blog in June...
Sunday, June 1
Floating Away (children's story)
...about sailing away on a bed boat...
Sunday, June 8
Children's Hospital (short memoir)
...about the day I was assessed as dyslexic
Sunday, June 15
Tying Laces with my Dad (short memoir)
When I have trouble tying my shoelaces, my dad...
Sunday, June 22
Book Review for Indigenous Day
Two Tricksters Find Friendship by Johnny Aitken and Jess Willows
...is a year in the life of a new mutually supportive friendship between Jessie, a white girl, and Johnny, an Indigenous boy
Sunday, June 29
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