MY EVERYDAY HERO
Christopher Reeve, the Superman star, defined a hero this way, "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." Christopher came to understand the nature of heroism after he was paralyzed in a riding accident in May 1995. For the rest of his life he remained dependent on a ventilator to breathe and was unable to move any part of his body below his shoulders.
In his autobiography, Still Me, released in April 1998, Christopher shared how he found respite in his sleep. He often dreamed of moving unhindered or even flying only to wake each morning to overwhelming obstacles that threatened to overcome and crush his spirit. He survived pneumonia, infections, blood clots, pressure wounds and a dangerous condition known as autonomic dysreflexia. He found the strength to carry on for nine heroic years until his death in October 2004. He was 52 years old.
Some heroes commit courageous actions without considering the consequences. Pehaps reflecting on this thought, Will Rogers once quipped, Being a hero is about the shortest-lived profession on earth!
Some heroes intentionally lay down their lives for something bigger than themselves. It is the cause and not merely the death that makes the martyr. - Napoleon Bonaparte
Some go out with a bang like the rebels of Les Miserables! If one is determined to die for the truth, even a common man can create history. - Vellupillai Pirapakaran
But, not every hero dies. Heroes live among us.
Some simply show up. A hero is a man who does what he can. - Romain Rolland
Some shed light. The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets for men to see by. - Felix Adler
Some swim upstream. To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform. - Theodore H. White
Some are quiet. True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever the cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever the cost. - Arthur Ashe
Some only need a few minutes. A hero is no braver than any ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Many heroes are men, women and children who surmount incredible difficulties every day. My hero is an everyday hero. My hero is my husband, Darryl, who loves and serves, solves problems, makes courageous decisions and leads with faith. I will tell you more in my next blog...
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