when Buffy lost everything, she affirmed her life and herself and found the energy to kick Angelus' ass. It's such a "rising" moment for her and your icon perfectly captures it.

I LOVE THIS. I love how you've summed it up in words so poetically and got to the heart of the matter - and I really wasn't thinking of any of this consciously at the time i confess. (people think i put a lot of thought into my icons but sometimes the thought is just "ooh, nifty effect!")

I'm waiting to be that strong to wear it as avatar. :)

DON'T WAIT, KIKI. You're stronger than you think, What does "that strong" even mean? It's meaningless. Celebrate the strength you have that gets you through the tough semester, that gets you out of bed despite the crushing anxiety. That IS strong. You're strong.

Claim the icon, claim the moment as your own, because it is.