Heroes

No, not the NBC show. I've never seen it. Maybe I'll try out a few episodes this season.

I've been thinking a lot about heroes lately. They're ordinary people who have done extraordinary things under the toughest circumstances. Heroes make us feel good about ourselves.

Last night I was watching a documentary on the Apollo astronauts. These guys didn't think they would do what they did, but they accomplished what few people have accomplished ever. They had courage. You don't hear much about courage these days. That ability to stand up to fear, keep a cool head, and plow through. I've always admired astronauts because they got the job done no matter what systems were failing.

Yesterday we were at my parents and reminiscing about another hero in my life. He was a missionary who visited our church often. He always had a smile and always encouraged me throughout my childhood. Besides my parents, I invited him and his wife to my high school graduation. I remember that all the graduates before me always had someone who cheered from the audience as that graduate walked across the stage. Knowing my family, I knew my walk was going to be a silent one. It's not that they weren't proud. They're a bit reserved ;) As I walked across the stage there was one guy who was whoppin' and hollerin' for me. You can probably guess who that was. It wasn't my dad (I know he was proud of me, but he's not that type).

My parents just told me about some of the tragedies in his life that I never knew about (really big stuff). He wasn't perfect (as no one is). Yet, I can't picture him without a smile or a chuckle of pure joy. He had a peace that could only come from God through his faith as a Christian. He passed away quite a while ago, but I'll always remember him as a hero. In a world we hear about one scandal after another, it's nice to remember those who seemed to rise above the storms.

I hope I can pay it forward one day...