Ask many young adults today and you get answers like Captain America – or maybe some professional athlete. Ask the younger kids and maybe its Daniel Tiger or Big Bird. While the idea of admiring someone who is best of the best. Or someone that stands up for others. Or someone (or something) that makes you feel loved and safe is healthy and human, I think we need to really re-examine what is the meaning of Hero.
The dictionary definition of hero is : a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.
So here is my challenge to you today – let’s think about the real heros in our lives. Because those worthy of the title are EVERYWHERE. We only need to look into their faces to see the true strength, courage and nobility. The attributes that we as humans need to raise up as examples of our humanity.
The true hero is the single mother, working not just toward the obvious goals of putting food on the table and making sure homework but also making sure her children understand her unconditional love for them. Always. No matter how incredibly hard that can be at times.
The true hero is the physician that pulls endless hours and sleeps in the doctor’s lounge because they don’t want to be out of reach for their young patients.
The true hero is the teacher that pays attention to everything going on outside their classroom and makes an effort to be an advocate for mental health in their young charges.
The true hero is the coach that stays after practice to sit and listen to the players that don’t have someone at home to talk to – and need to know someone loves them.
The true hero is the young man or woman who feels the call to serve our great nation and leaves home for the first time toward unknown adventure and danger as a member of our Armed Service.
The true hero is the Catholic priest that in the face of a world that would rather criticize and ridicule their calling, starts every day with a prayer of thanks – for the honor God has bestowed on them – allowing them to comfort the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
The true hero is the mother, that loses a child – to addiction, to estrangement, to anger or to death – that gets up every morning and faces that loss with dignity and grace. Knowing that in every day there is the hope that tomorrow will be better. That with each new sunrise brings new opportunity for healing.
Here is my challenge to you – find your hero today. Look at the wonder of those around you – and the little moments of achievement. Take notice of the first time public speaker, encourage the young student, cherish the elderly parent, embrace the suffering neighbor and let them all know that they are your hero today. Because we all need someone to be our hero – and maybe someone needs us to be theirs.
Chapstick in the Dryer 