While traveling to the Missouri Sheriff’s Association’s spring training conference a couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to become engaged in reading a book, which I have long owned, but seldom opened.
The book, “Worth Dying For” (2016) authored by Roarke Denver, is a grand depiction of the need for service throughout all aspects of society.
One section of this treasure includes the author discussing the concept of heroes.
As discussed throughout the modern day lesson, Mr. Denver describes that today we are fixated on movie stars, athletes and the elite “as societies preferred heroes,” which is not a fully negative concept, but we truly need to look deeper into our choices.
As I considered the words of this book, I quickly assessed that I am in full agreement that we truly must re-evaluate what constitutes a hero and whom we place that dubious honor upon.
In saying that, I wished to share with you my thoughts on the subject.
As we consider a hero, I feel we need look no further than those standing in our midst, occupying our own communities to find the true heroes.
The grocer who selflessly supplies food to the homeless, the minister who crawls out of bed at night to hold the hand of the elderly in the hospital, the mother who tirelessly prepares each day to ensure her children receive the full benefit of this life. Those, in my opinion, are the true heroes we should center upon.
I was told not long ago that my father, prior to his death, had spoken to my cousin and described that I was his hero.
This honor, although in my mind I am not a worthy recipient, was a source of great pride to me as an individual. That interaction with my cousin made me think about who I consider the true hero in my life.
My true hero would much rather remain nameless and in the shadows. My hero, a woman of honor, over the past seven years experienced a great deal of turbulent, yet blessing filled days. The days began with a newness of life and relationship, which brought about both anxiety and joy.
A short time into my interaction with my hero, she was faced with a major tragedy in the family. With the loss of life and the fear and sadness, this exceptional woman stood by as I traveled to the area where I would be tasked with the notification of my mother and father that their youngest child, his wife and three children were rapidly taken from this life. This woman stood by, silent, yet supportive, a source of strength yet meekness, a servant to her family.
This woman then, without hesitation, uprooted her lifestyle, goals and dreams and opened her life to two orphaned little girls, becoming a full-time mother in an instant.
I have watched as this woman engages her children, regardless of her feelings, weariness and time of day with only the hopes of providing a better life.
This woman then was faced with the pain of watching the families patriarch rapidly decline with dementia and ultimately pass on.
Throughout this secondary tragedy, I observed as this woman or power, bowed her head, gently touched the hand of my mother, and somberly supported the family through their grief.
I have watched this woman serve her community through prosperous times and disaster. Through angst and disdain, caring not those individuals may disagree or dislike her, but only that the citizens she serves are afforded every benefit possible.
I have watched as she fights for the same people who persecute her. This woman, my hero, happens to be my wife. My hero, though her leadership has inspired me to seek greatness.
I describe all this with the ultimate intent of encouraging each of us to look outside the normal, cultural, and societal definitions of who a hero is.
Around us, interacting with us, living with us, are many who are truly the heroes, which need recognized as such.
My hero may not be your hero, and that’s OK. We each must evaluate what it truly means to be a hero.
If we merely take a moment and consider who has impacted our lives and who truly gives of their selves, that is the true hero before us.
Recognizing such will empower us to look deeper in to the important things in life and assist with maintaining a brighter outlook of our communities and those who work tirelessly towards our success.