Over the past years, it has really bothered me when people called me a “Supermom.” After all, I know all the ways I drop the ball and feel like I’m failing.
Realistically, we know, no one is perfect and everyone messes up somewhere, but when you live with any type of anxiety and depression, it is nearly impossible to feel like anyone’s superhero. I definitely haven’t felt like a “Supermom.”
My lips would say “thank you” but my mind and heart would say, “nah sis, if only you knew, that’s not me.” However, today I am inspired to own being a “Supermom.”
As we are collectively grieving the loss of our own Superhero, Black Panther, played by Chadwick Boseman, I’ve had a moment of reflection. I found myself reflecting on his character in parallel to what we’ve learned he was enduring behind the scenes of his real life.
Chadwick’s passing revealed that he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2016 that later progressed to stage 4. He underwent surgeries and chemotherapy all while continuing to give himself to uplifting, empowering, serving, advocating for and inspiring others without the world knowing of his illness.
King T’Challa, the Black Panther and Chadwick Boseman the man, exposed the very human side of being a superhero.
He showed us that superhero isn’t synonymous with perfection, it isn’t without struggle, flaws, weakness, failure or the need for help and support. In fact, the superpower is in how you continue to show up anyway.
A superhero is found in how you fight, how you serve, how you lead, how you follow when necessary, how you love, and how you embrace your inevitable weaknesses.
On the movie screen, we watched Black Panther lean on his support, serve, and lead. We also watched him struggle and even fail. Theaters across the world filled with confidence, as we trusted his failure would not be the end of his story, that it would not be his defining moment. Awe and excitement arose as our hope was made true when he overcame defeat.
Secretly battling cancer the last four years, making no excuses and seeking no pity, Chadwick continued to show up for the greater good of his people, “US,” serving and bringing us a superhero and tribe we could identify with and believe in, along with many other iconic roles he played. Surely, these accomplishments were possible because of the support and love from his wife, family, closest friends, and professional team. That is a superhero.
Everyday I wake up with the best interests of my family in mind. I understand I am far from perfect as a woman or a mom, but I can say that I show up in the face of my struggles and weaknesses: PMDD, Hashimoto, Anxiety and Depression, to love, serve, nurture, and guide my children to the best of my ability.
Chadwick Boseman, our forever King T’Challa, the Black Panther didn’t lose to colon cancer, he was victorious because he lived out every ounce of purpose he had. He was a real life superhero.
I am determined to fully live in my purpose and one part of that is being a mom. My struggles and weaknesses will not be all that defines me or the end of my story. If I can focus on always striving to be and give my best, as well as commit to serving others, then I can wear the “Supermom” title (and cute tee) proudly.
Thank You, King T’Challa, Chadwick Boseman
WAKANDA FOREVER!
