Everyday Heroes

During times of crisis weirdness uncertainty. It seems almost natural to think of our childhood superheroes. Or at least the powers we believed them to hold. The ability to fight evil and take care of good people. The capacity to right all wrongs. Let no person put asunder and all that.

When I think about the heroic people in my life. My mind wanders to my parents. My father who seemed supernaturally strong and in whose arms I felt safe protected whole loved. My mother who had the uncanny ability to make everything in life an adventure. Even in rain thunderstorms cancellations confusion we would laugh.

And then came cartoon heroes like the super twins who could change shape and form. I loved watching Isis. A strong powerful woman who harnessed the natural powers of the world. I made a medallion like hers. Out of cardboard and wrapped in aluminum foil. I walked boldly into the field adjacent to our home. Lifted my arms towards the sky. Gazed at the heavens and summoned “Oh mighty Isis… Isis… Isis… (these last two Isis’s were soft and almost echoey in nature)

I was probably 6 years old and a bit disappointed that nothing happened. Not one single solitary change in the earth’s atmosphere or my abilities to be a crime fighter doer of good deeds righter of wrongs. I trudged back home. To rethink my approach.

I remember having dreams where I could fly like Wonder Woman over the fields at my elementary school. I’m sure there were some playground bullies with whom I hoped to have a chat. Or perhaps a cat in a tree to rescue. I really wanted a cat.

(Years later I would be jogging through the state park near my house and hear the cries of a wounded animal. It was not hurt, only hungry. I carried the cat home as it clearly had lost its way. We lived in a rural area and the cat belonged to no one. I know because I called everyone. With our rotary phone. We also lived near the closest state park to an army base and we along with all of our neighbors, were flooded with animals who had been set free when people received orders to be shipped elsewhere. While my father did not want a cat- he loved dogs and we had two- he did feel empathy when the cat crunched through the large pieces of dry dog food as he was starving. And in true loving dad fashion. After a bit of prodding. We had a cat. His name was Alex. A few months after his arrival my dad saw an ad in the local paper for a cat in need of a home- also on the military base. My parents worked there as civilians. With zero discussion conversation, my father stopped at the shelter and brought home Mitsy. As he believed everyone should have a buddy. And that’s how we came to have two dogs and two cats)

At some point. After Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden and Star Wars. I began reading learning studying real people who had accomplished amazing out of this world things. Who had fought strove sacrificed for world peace freedom human rights. These real life people became my new super heroes.

But. It is hard to be one of the heroes who is nationally internationally known. Sometimes difficult to identify and relate. And at some point. More so now. I began to see understand acknowledge the heroic acts performed in solitude or just because it’s the right thing to do. Every single day. And once again my perception of super heroes shifted a bit.

(And please know that by heroes, I include all genders orientations ethnicities ages origination destination all humans. Well, also some non-humans as there have been some pretty heroic dogs and other species who care and love for living breathing creatures)

And now I see everyday heroes. My friend Ashley who is working hard to keep her small business afloat and care for reach out to her staff and is also an amazing single mom and continues to try to get me to join her on the Peloton. My friend Tony who inspires others to do their best to get outside to exercise to grow be stronger versions of themselves. My friend Kevin who treats his team with admirable respect and continues to serve others who are in need and find ways to help the community. So many friends and family who continue to reach out check in to see how everyone is doing during this time of quarantine. Danny who arranged our family zoom call last weekend which was a blast. All of the parents who are attempting to home school and manage children while maintaining social distance and sanity. All of the people trying to work from home and be competent and strategic and effective in new ways manners approaches. All of the people in rescue who provide support or rescue adopt foster. Every single health care worker and essential services person who continues to put themselves on the line on the front of this pandemic to continue to serve and help others and try to bring some sense of normalcy. People grappling with loss and loneliness and sorrow. Those who have lost jobs or their footing and are facing uncertainty and fear. The people strangers on the roads and in the neighborhoods who are maintaining distance while enjoying being outside exercising. We seem to smile and wave a bit more towards each other understanding that this is our new way of connecting. From a distance.

And finally I think about. Am grateful for my family who inspires me every single day. To be a better person version of myself. Who cheers me on when I make a strawberry pie for the first time. Macy who has been outdoing outshining herself with her devotion to her academics and engagement in online learning. It’s not easy doing lab classes online and leaving your besties and returning home early during your freshman year of college. But she manages to stay in touch with friends and do her laundry and force us to have a dress up night for dinner (last Saturday) since she was missing a semi-formal.

And Ella. I was going to write something else about Ella. But then she just ran into the kitchen and managed to bake cinnamon rolls with her free time of 15 minutes between classes and yelled back to them over her shoulder that she would return for them after her next class. Heroism comes in all shapes and sizes and providing funny for me and Macy was awesome. Ella has also managed to adapt to online classes and pursues her studies with an incredible intensity that I love to witness. And has dance classes via zoom.

And both of these girls. Our daughters. Join us every night for dinner. And we laugh and admire the people they have become. Enjoy the stories they share. And continue to be incredulous over the love they have for their pack of dogs and clowder of cats and circle of friends.

And our circle of love that provides support encouragement enriches our lives beyond measure.

And last but never least. Instead the mostest. My best friend and life partner. Not surprising that he has willfully joyfully accepted loved adored fostered adopted so many creatures with us. He follows in the footsteps of his mother and grandfather in their love of animals.

And even more so. His love of our daughters. His joy at their accomplishments. His time being with them. Having hard discussions. Sharing both pain and beauty. They have opened their hearts to each other. They were always meant to be.

When we were walking the other day. He asked me if I could change anything. Other than the whole pandemic coronavirus situation. What would make me happy. Help me feel fulfilled.

Even in the midst of all the crazy long hours he is working. Even when he could easily be consumed by the challenges he and others are facing in their daily work. Even in the context of anything.

He always asks what he can do to help support be. This is love.

Everywhere we look. Around each corner. People who seek opportunities to do the right thing. To fulfill the lives dreams aspirations of others. To help ease burdens.

Each of us. Is a super hero. With an invisible cape of love. You just have to take a closer look.

(Picture which popped up on my FB memory today. Taken two years ago. J.P. and Macy escorting foster puppies back to our home. Inspiration found everywhere)