Everyone has a super power. There's something you can do that's just plain awesome. Sometimes, we don't even know we have a super power. But we do. Some of us have a lot of super powers. Others maybe just one really, really great power. 

I used to think it was arrogant to tell people about your super power. As my 9-year-old would say, "Don't brag. Bragging is rude." I'm not saying you should brag, but I think you should figure out what your super power is, own it, and share it. Why? Because the people around you need your super power. We all need to work together to get through life. I want to know what you're awesome at, so you can help me when I'm struggling. And in turn, I want to help you if I can. 

So what's one of my super powers? I come alive in the face of an emergency. Give my a fire or blood, and I spring to action. 

The week before last, Shelby had a pretty serious accident. It involved a lot of blood; a deep (yucky) wound; and a trip to the ER for stitches. When it happened, I didn't freak. I just went to work. I had to stop the bleeding. Assess the damage. Call the doctor. Call Mike. Load Shelby into the car. Head to the ER, and then help her through the process of getting stitches. I never really thought about what was going on, I just did it. The same thing happened when I stumble onto a kitchen fire. Or when Cooper was limp in my arms, only moving his head to vomit. Maybe it's the Army in me. Who knows? It's just my super power. 

Shelby's super power is laughter. She can disarm anyone with her smile and silliness. She's a performer. She makes everyone laugh. No one can be sad when she's around.

Even at four, Cooper has some super powers. He's never met a stranger. He is comfortable with everyone and every thing. New experiences don't scare him. He just rolls with it. 

I have a friend, Elle Jaye. Her super power is listening. Until I met her I never realized the power of listening. In her company, I felt heard. She listens in a way that makes me feel like the most cherished person in the world.

Mrs. D, Shelby's teacher, has the most amazing super powers. She can make every child feel special. No matter how many kids are in her classroom, each one matters and each one is precious. She also has the super power of making every child understand. No matter the concept, problem or idea … she can explain it in such a way that it makes sense. 

My dad's super power is hard work. Each day he shows me how amazing things happen with hard work. My husband and father-in-law have this same super power;  they work harder than anyone I know.

My former editor Dede's super power is mentoring. No matter how swamped she was, she'd take the time to show me how to be a better reporter, a better writer and a better overall journalist. It's from her I learned my greatest newspaper lessons. Line by line she coached me to become a better storyteller.

Making art accessible is my friend Kelly's super power. From her I've learned that everyone can be an artist. She's a phenomenal teacher and makes art fun, freeing and reward. 

We all have super powers. We should celebrate each other's strengths. We should capitalize on what we're each good at. It really does take a village, so what's your super power?

 

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P.S. Shelby is totally fine. She got stitches and has since had them out. She was thrilled to show off her "battle" scars to her schoolmates when she went back to school last week.