Heroes

We all have our definition of what a hero (or heroine) is. For some the images of first responders rushing towards the Twin Towers encapsulates all that it means to be a hero. Or maybe its a group of passengers bringing down a plane to save many lives but, in doing so, sacrifice their own. Maybe its the single parent who struggles to shield his or her child from the realities of life on the poverty line. I don't think anybody would disagree that somebody like Terry Fox deserves the title of hero. A man who led by example despite suffering from the very disease he sought to cure.

Sports stars of course come to mind, as do pop stars and film stars, but maybe their hero status owes more to adulation than true respect and sacrifice. Don't get me wrong, many of these people have tremendous talent and have achieved much, but even the most star struck person would find it difficult to truly compare their feats with heroism.

Heroism to me is born out of adversity. It requires sacrifice, it requires unfathomable stamina, it requires persistence and it requires love. Sacrifice to release the person from self concern, stamina to keep going when giving up would be so much easier, persistence to hold firm to truth, and love to feed the soul. Sometimes the hero will take centre stage, sometimes they will remain in the shadows, their sacrifice and achievements visible only to the few. Whatever their prominence their actions and achievements are always witnessed by God and will always be rewarded, be it in this life or the next.

I wrote this blog specifically so that I could recognize two people in my life who so richly deserve the title of hero. As with true heroes they would never consider themselves to be one. That's the thing with heroes, they never see the wonder that we see in them. To them they are just living their lives.

My first hero is a guy who for the last year has been fighting stomach cancer. People fight cancer all the time so you may be wondering what makes this guy a hero? He is my hero because in the face of an uncertain future he has continued to live his life with grace, has remained staunch in his love and belief in family and has continued to give of himself even when his body has faltered. I have watched from afar as he has battled this demon and refused to let it better him. Not one to steal the limelight he has continued to be a rock for his family and a true hero in every way. I salute you Ian.

My second hero is a lady of invention, a lady who just gets things done whatever the obstacle. Nothing is allowed to stand in her way and she will do whatever it takes to keep her family safe. Along the way she has tutored lawyers in law, doctors in medicine, bureaucrats in how not to f@ck everything up. She has sacrificed her body and health with long days at work followed by even longer nights at home. She has educated herself in all that she has needed to know to get the job done, however complicated that was. Throughout these toils she has made sure that she has been there for her son, providing him with a childhood free of worry, a shielding boom from the ills no child should know about, let alone face. She is an amazing person and my life is immeasurably better because she is in it. Her heroic feats may go unnoticed to the world but they are not shielded from my sight and I salute you too Aimee.

There have been other heroes in my life: men and women that have fought (and died) for my freedom; my Mum and Dad who brought me up in an environment that bred optimism and kindled love. I am sure that there will be others in the future. But today I honour Ian and Aimee for all that they are, for all that they have taught me, and for adorning this world with grace, dignity, love and honour......for reminding me every day what it means to be a true hero.