As an author I like to write about ‘ordinary’ people who
rush into hell to find justice. When
confronted by the unimaginable, they fight to survive and prevail.
My focus on the people with non-super powers might be
strange considering the fact that as a kid I watched a steady diet of all the
super hero cartoons from Mighty Mouse to Superman to the Justice League. Characters whipped out their super powers to
save the world.
Yet my first and always heroes were my parents. Every day Dad went to work at a tough,
difficult job he didn’t like to provide for his family. Mom sacrificed so her daughters could have
more than she did as a Depression-era child.
They weren’t the flashy heroes of the ‘extraordinary’ powers or moment; to me they were heroic for meeting life’s
obligations with resilience every day of their lives.
From a police officer
racing to burning car to rescue a trapped driver to the divorced mother tired
from working a thankless job but stays up late to help her daughter complete a
school project, I take heart in both those heroic efforts that make the news
and those I have the privilege of observing.
See that utility tech working tirelessly on downed lines in an area
devastated by disasters? Hero. Those
teams of Red Cross or American Humane Society heading into the eye of the storm
to help victims? Major heroes.
While many may argue super model/business woman Heidi Klum
is far from being ordinary, this past weekend she was just a mother on a
holiday with her family. When a riptide
threatened her son, she rushed into the water without hesitation to pull him to
safety. Then she went into danger again
to rescue the nanny. The look of fear
and determination on her face would resonate with any parent with a child in
danger. I know her courage and actions
will work their way eventually into a character. For now, she’s added to my ‘hero’ list.
Do you have a favorite act of heroism you saw or read about?
J
Carol Stephenson
Escape to Compelling, Heart-Racing Stories
HER DARK PROTECTOR, 2013 EPIC finalist
Website; Facebook; Twitter; Amazon Author Page
HER DARK PROTECTOR, 2013 EPIC finalist
Website; Facebook; Twitter; Amazon Author Page
6 comments:
My parents who struggled through hard times and encouraged me when I wanted to become a singer. I wish they were around to share my joy in writing. And the heroic actions of the police,fire dept. and citizens who did everything they could to help the victims of 9/11.
Oh, heroes! My favorite topic. :) I love thinking about the everyday heroes...the ones who give up their seat for a pregnant woman or pick up groceries for the homebound. Any little act of kindness (especially when it's random). It restores my faith in people.
Love the topic, Carol. And yes, my favourite heroes are the ordinary women and men who step up when needed, without fuss, because they are needed.
Wonderful, Carol. The Heidi Klum story is very relevant and poignant.
Good for her, and good for you for making us all so aware of heroes in our midst.
The images of 9/11 rescue workers will be with me always, Elise.
Anne Marie, when I saw that story about an officer buying shoes for a homeless man, my heart melted.
Thanks Marcelle and Jean!!!
I have a couple of friends who have dealt with chronic health problems. I can't imagine handling it with as much courage and grace (&lack of whining) as they showed. It's haunting and inspiring....
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