Hero's

Who is your hero? I've been thinking a lot lately about life and how each and everyone of us are molded and shaped by a small group of individuals. These individuals usually have a strong influence on who we are and the people we become. These individuals may be parents, grandparents, siblings, relatives, friends or some combination of the aforementioned.

Recently, my grandfather (my mother's dad) fell sick and his prognosis, as of today looks grim. I believe this and the anticipation of our second child has me analyzing things in life a little more than usual. It's funny how life works, we are expecting a baby boy any day now. Another one of God's miracle's will take his first breath and begin life very soon. On the other hand, my grandfather is 95 and he may only be with us a few more days. As one life begins another is likely to end (at least life on earth).

So I've been thinking about who my hero's are and if I am or may be a hero to someone. My father, and his parent's (my grandparents) would have to be my hero's. Along with my mother, these individuals helped mold me and make me who I am today. I'm not perfect, but I am thankful, grateful, and proud of who I am.

My grandmother, went to be with God nearly three years ago, she passed away in her sleep unexpectedly. I miss her dearly and think of her several times each day. She was the person in our family who kept everything together. During the holidays, you knew everyone would be gathering at "grandmas house". The importance I place on my own family is a direct result of what she taught us without saying a word. I learned so much about love, family, and relationships from the years I spent at many gatherings at her house. We had a very special relationship, hard to put into words but something I will always cherish and hold dear to my heart.

I don't think she had an enemy in the world. Everyone loved her! See taught me how to treat people, she was always kind, compassionate, and gave to everyone. She was a Christian woman, a devout Catholic and I can probably count the number of times she ever missed Mass. It was extremely important to her. During her birthdays or occasions when most people can expect to receive presents or gifts; she would tell me the greatest gift I could give her was to attend Mass with her or to pray. She was a quite woman, and a shy lady who never got a drivers license! She didn't have to say a whole lot, because I learned so much from her actions rather than her words. Today, my faith is very strong and the emphasis and importance that I place on my spiritual well being is directly related to my grandmother.

Her husband and my grandfather is also a hero to me. This man lived and worked on a farm in Arkansas as a child. He never had the opportunity to get much of a formal education; he didn't even finish high school. Instead he worked his tail off to help provide for his family. He was drafted and spent years on an Aircraft Carrier fighting for America in WWII. This is the strongest and toughest man you will ever meet, yet so caring he would literally give you the shirt off of his back. He really had a rough up bringing and probably overcame more adversity and challenges than most will ever know. I don't think he ever missed a day of work.

This man taught me more about work ethic and finishing than anyone else. The interesting thing is I don't think I can remember us having an actual conversation about the topics. I picked up everything by watching what he did and how he did it day after day, year after year. I'd never hear him complain and you'd have a hard time getting him to talk about himself. With him everything is about you. He fought in WWII and lived to tell about it, but very seldom if ever will you hear him talk about it. He always finished, meaning if he started a project or committed to doing something it was as good as done. As I said, he worked very hard but he always seemed to have time for everyone else.

My father was and is always there for me. I can't remember an event (big or small) that he wasn't a part of. No matter what he's always been there for my brother's and I. He taught me right from wrong, how to treat a lady (from the way he treated my mother) and I never doubted how much he loved me. I can't tell you how fortunate I feel to have him in my life. He always wanted the best for us (myself, brothers, and our mom). He made sure we knew we could be anything in life that we desired, but never pushed or pressured us. Probably the most unselfish person I know to this day.

This little blog doesn't do these individuals justice but I want readers to get a sense of the type of person each of them were. As I raise my children now I can't help but hope to play such an important role in the life of my children as they did in mine. So I ask you, who are your hero's and what do they mean to you? Are you a hero in someone's eyes?