My Definition of a Hero

In my eyes heroes do not generally wear capes, nor do they stand atop tall buildings yielding weapons and fending off attacks from unimaginable creatures. The heroes of our typical childhood memory or those depicted within blockbuster movies just don't stand a chance against the real heroes that I encounter on a daily basis.

Real heroes are the people amongst us quietly achieving greatness, often going unrecognised and usually disinterested in being the centre of attention. It seems that we need to celebrate these heroes a little more, perhaps just by acknowledging them and telling them that they are appreciated. I have been blessed to meet many heroes and to define them is a little difficult.

These are some of the people that I consider to be real heroes:

♡ The single Mum who left her job when her son was diagnosed with cancer, so that she can take him to his chemo appointments and always be by his side throughout the very scary experience of treatment and surgery.

♡ The 30 something new Mother whose perfect life was shattered when she was hit by a car only days after giving birth. Still in hospital almost 18 months later, her marriage over and unable to be the Mother that she desperately ached for before her accident. Every day she wakes to this new reality and persists with her painful therapy and painstakingly slow progress.

♡ The husband of three young children whose wife died suddenly of a heart attack just before last Christmas, leaving him not only heart broken and grieving his lost love but also the most alone he has ever been. 

♡ The elderly couple that I see most days in my street in their little old car delivering Meals on Wheels to our community. Always smiling, clutching their clip board and channelling their energies into making a difference to the lives of others who are isolated.

♡ The parents of children with severe disabilities, there are many of those who have graced my existence lately. Focused, positive and passionate - they all step up to their situation with strength and dignity, taking on the constant challenges and always creating the best life possible for their families.

Resilience, determination and perspective seem to be some of the key traits that many heroes share. It humbles me, inspires me and reminds me of the power of humanity.