The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the term ‘hero’ as a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability: an illustrious warrior, or one that shows great courage.
Throughout history men, women and children of all ages gathered around fire pits to hear storytellers tell their tales of woe and great sorrow. Stories of princesses held captive and sleeping beauties slipping in to eternity. Only the undeniable strength of a hero could stop evil queens, only a pure-hearted prince could awake his lovely princess with a kiss. In some cases, the tales included people leaping tall buildings in single bounds.
My definition of a hero is a mother working two jobs to support her children while having no time to do anything but pray they grow up with the right morals and good judgment. A hero to me is a man struggling to stay sober in a world berated by drugs and alcohol. William Wallace was eventually executed but when he walked this earth he was the epitome of the motto ‘Live free or die!’ Anyone and everyone reading this has at least one hero in their lives. One person they look up to, one person that helps them change their views. Maybe it’s a teacher or maybe it’s the little old lady next door who’s always good for a long conversation on warm summer nights. It could even be that grumpy old man on the opposite side of the road who still wakes up with nightmares from the things he’s seen in World War II.
It’s come to my attention that the word ‘hero’ has been thrown around in today’s newspapers like an old shoe. Everywhere we look there is someone being considered a hero. My question for you guys this week is this: If someone is accidentally killed while performing his or her job should they be considered heroes or just brave and courageous? Now I don’t mean to say that people who run in to burning buildings and crack houses aren’t brave because hell, most people wouldn’t. Just for the record I consider ALL the people who die in the line of duty to be heroic because they are the ones who allow this country to remain free. They have dedicated themselves to be sacrifices for the rest of us so they are exempt in my book.
I’m sitting here in my room at one o’clock in the morning watching the Twilight Zone, cruising the galaxy through my laptop and expecting some big bubble to pop over my head filled with words that I think you guys want to hear. But it hasn’t happened. Do you want to know why? Because I’m not a hero folks, I’m a simple man who has found himself in a position to share my beliefs with you and hope to God that I don’t bore you. A long time ago I read an excerpt out of Josh Billings Encyclopedia and Proverbial Philosophy of wit and humor that in my opinion sums up the word in one sentence and it goes like this; ‘He whom prosperity humbles, and adversity strengthens, is the true hero.’
The only thing I could say is this; If there are any of you out there who take care of someone, feed the hungry, heal the sick and mend the hurting hearts then yea, you’re a hero in my book. If you happen to slay dragons or find yourself running faster then speeding bullets you’re a hero in my book. If by any chance you happen to withstand my nonsense like my future wife Deborah, then yea, you get to be a hero too.
Gabe Faraci
