Who’s Your Hero?
When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. | Henri Nouwen
Kids have a pretty straightforward idea of who their heroes are. Batman and Robin might mask their identities, but it’s no secret that they’re the strongest and bravest crime-fighters around—and as such, they get loads of wide-eyed admiration from kids everywhere. Spiderman, the X-men, Superman, WonderWoman and many other brightly-colored, elastic-clad men and women all have that magnificent distinction as rescuers of humankind in our darkest hour. All children seem to know that these are people to whom we owe our applause and gratitude.
But at the end of the day, when Dad reads them a bedtime story and Mom tucks them in and gives a goodnight kiss, kids know who their real heroes are.
It’s ironic that often the most important people in our lives get the least amount of fanfare. These are the people who help us remember who we are and who we can be. They’re the ones who know us best—and still love us. They don’t just show up in moments of crisis; they’re with us through thick and thin. And those are the qualities of a real hero. Often our real heroes go many thankless days while continuing to be diligent and helpful to us. They endure. They know when to reach for us. They know how to leap high with us during the good times and sit still with us when we think we can’t sink any lower. And it’s their dedication that saves us from the terrible fate of forgetting what we’re living for.
Who’s your hero? Take time today to think about the heroic people in your life. Thank them for who they are. And then tell us about them and what they’ve done for you by commenting, sharing your story, or visiting us on Facebook!