Roar & Courage

Sometimes bravery sounds like a lion.

For privacy reasons, I have changed the name of the person I am referring to in this story to Lilly.

A few years ago, my oldest child had a friend whose last name sounded like "Roar." Naturally, my kids thought that was the coolest last name. Every time we saw Lilly, they’d shout out, “Hi Lilly Roar!” and my youngest would often let out an actual lion’s roar. He didn’t yet understand that “Roar” was just her last name. 

As time passed, Lilly and my daughter graduated, and we didn’t see her as often. Fast forward to the present: now my middle child has a classmate named Lilly, and they both run cross-country. At one of the meets, my youngest spotted her and started cheering enthusiastically as she passed.

If you’ve ever been to a cross-country meet, you know the runners often look like they’re on the verge of collapse, exhausted, and pained, yet determined. As Lilly ran by, her face showed that mix of focus and determination that defines a runner pushing toward the finish, and my youngest yelled,

“Let’s go, Lilly Roar!”

Lilly, who had been completely focused, suddenly broke into the biggest smile. She didn’t laugh, she couldn’t, she was working too hard, but the joy was unmistakable.

We later explained to my youngest that not every Lilly is a Roar. But I truly believe that in that moment, he gave her something: a small but meaningful boost of courage.

The very next day, I was meeting with a counselor I hadn’t seen in a few months. She hugged me and said,

“I’m so proud of you for starting your own business. You are so brave.”

And instantly, I was transported back to the night before. To Lilly. To the roar.

That counselor didn’t know it, but I needed to hear those words. Her encouragement was, in its own way, a roar. A moment of powerful affirmation.

I’ve been reflecting on that moment ever since. Sometimes we need someone to simply say our name and metaphorically roar. It’s their way of saying:

I see you.

I believe in you.

You’ve got this.

My nine-year-old may have figured it out before the rest of us. Sometimes, you just need to roar at people. So I’ve been asking myself:

Who can I roar at today? 

Who around me is doing something brave, something hard, and just needs to know someone sees their effort?

Let’s roar more. Let’s celebrate courage. Let’s give people that extra push to keep going.

Because sometimes a well-timed “roar” is exactly what someone needs to hear.