Bea,

You remind me of the super heroine, Jean Grey from the Xmen.  She also graces the walls of our gym.  Her picture looks like this:

I’ve always liked Jean.  She is wise.  She asks lots of questions, like you do.  She is beautiful and very strong.  In fact, her strength is something of a weakness because people are very intimidated by her.  She has died many times, but is able to resurrect – like a phoenix.  Your strength, grace and loveliness of face/figure remind me of her.

She was born with telepathic and telekinetic powers. Her powers first manifested when she saw her childhood friend being hit by a car. She is a caring, nurturing figure, but she also has to deal with being an Omega-level mutant and the physical manifestation of the cosmic Phoenix Force. Jean Grey experienced a transformation into the Phoenix in the X-Men storyline “The Dark Phoenix Saga“. She has faced death numerous times in the history of the series. Her first death was under her guise as Marvel Girl, when she died and was “reborn” in the X-Men story line “The Dark Phoenix Saga” as Phoenix. This transformation led to her second death, though not her last. – Wikipedia

Looking at her picture during my workouts helps me go past my (supposed) breaking point. It pushes me to be better – just like all those questions you used to ask me.  They would make me think harder about things.  I was SO proud of you and how you handled yourself when I took you to church and when we meditated together in my living room. Very few young women could handle THAT level of spirit.  You took it in stride.  You are wise beyond your years.  Your silence proves this to me.  You are wise to be silent right now. There is a wisdom in silence – and you are already aware of it.  Wow!  You are amazing! Just like Jean Grey. Wisdom AND Beauty – what a killer combination! I love you.

Here is a tribute to Jean Grey that I found on Youtube.  Perhaps you will see the wisdom and fortitude (never ending ability to go on) in her and…in yourself.