Newspapers and magazines hail Brittney Spears’ strength as a woman, discuss Lindsay Lohan’s latest exploits, and gush about the Duff sisters. These are America’s heroes; our celebrities. We place these people on gold plated pedestals and watch their every move. Our television screens are filled with these faces. We watch, read, and talk about them almost as much as we do people in our own lives. We equate our celebrities with our heroes. Well, most of us.
I have many heroes, but I do not often see their faces plastered across magazine covers or billboards. This is because my version of a hero is slightly different than that of society. My hero is not the blondest woman in Hollywood or the cutest actor in the movies. My hero is not a woman who has married and divorced four different men, or a man who nearly threw his child out the balcony window. The mysterious cutie in chaps, the delicious babe in spandex, the smiling child in big sleeves… none of these qualify as a hero to me.
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." Christopher Reeve.
One of my closest friends is the child of a divorced marriage. Her mother is a single parent raising three kids on a limited, middle class budget. She runs her two sons to hockey and soccer practices, keeps up with her daughter’s show choir exploits, watches the grades of all three children, and still has time to work, cook, clean, and live a life of her own. This woman is a hero. She is a remarkable mother, a spirited woman, and an exemplary human being. She sets a strong example for her children, and lives a compassionate life spreading joy to the people around her. She does all of this alone. She has no husband to help her run her or her children’s lives, and yet she manages. In fact, she more than manages. She excels.
“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle."Norman Schwarzkopf.
The members of America’s military lead difficult lives. Each endures rigorous training in order to claim his title, and is then stationed wherever his country needs him; often far from home. He sacrifices family and friends so he may be ready when we, his country, need him. When we send him to war, life is even more strenuous. He may spend his nights camping beside a dilapidated highway and his days fearing bombs and sniper rifles. He puts himself in constant danger so that we can live without that threat. We are safe at home because of the sacrifices this man makes. For that, for our freedom and security, he is a hero.
“A boy doesn’t have to go to war to be a hero; he can say he doesn’t like pie when he sees there isn’t enough to go around." Edgar Watson Howe.
Small things make a person a hero. Everyday acts of kindness and compassion are normalities in the life of a real hero, because this person has a heart flooded with love. It doesn’t matter that her day hasn’t been going well; someone else’s may be bettered by her smile. She may be hungry, but her dollar may better serve the starving man next to her. This person does not fight wars, overcome terrible hardships, or sacrifice her life for another. She simply puts herself in a position to spread joy and love. She sets her selfish impulses aside and serves others instead. Her heroism comes in her efforts to place others before herself. Her heroism is the most easily imitated; it is achievable by everyone. It is also most often forgotten. She is frequently the unsung hero.
My heroes may not be seen on television. They may not be applauded on the radio every morning, and they may not have books written about them by famous, influential authors. It is no matter. They are the ones who truly deserve the title “hero". They are the ones who value things true, honest, and just. Their hearts are pure and their minds are logical. They set examples for the rest of us to follow, and they never give up hope. They make no show of their own heroism, but pass the glory on for others to enjoy. They are the true heroes.
“Not the glittering weapon fights the fight, but rather the hero’s heart."