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A Tribute to Our Heroes

I remember that fateful day thirteen years ago when the Twin Towers fell to the ground and exploded into flames.  I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing.  For a moment, time stood still while I was trying to understand what had happened and why.  I was grieved for the loss of lives and dreams that day.  At that same moment, heroes begin to rise to the occasion and answer the inner call to help.  To sacrifice.  To rebuild.  These heroes saved lives, while giving up their own.  They helped a shattered country rise again from the ashes. 

Each of us has heroes in our lives that rescue us from pain.  Help us heal from anger.  Assist us in rebuilding shattered dreams.  These special people are placed in our lives by God.  They are not heroes because they are seeking any fame, glory or money, but because they are willing to give their lives in service to others.  Our heroes are our kindergarten teacher who taught us to read.  A Sunday school teacher who picked us up every week for church because our parents would not take us.  A researcher who discovered the cure that saved our lives.  An engineer who designed the bridge we travel on every day to get to work.  A mother who shows her love by working two jobs so we can eat and have shelter.  A total stranger who pays for our groceries for no reason at all.  A friend who calls to brighten our day when we are buried in a deep depression.  A pastor who prays for his flock when he needs prayers himself.  The firefighter who lost his life saving others in a house fire.  The marine who still battles post-traumatic stress disorder from fighting for our safety in the Middle East.  The mother who died during childbirth while giving life to her baby.  The single father who raises three intelligent and successful children.  These are everyday heroes. They are to be commended.  They are to be embraced and cherished. 

I honor those who have sacrificed.  I honor our many public servants,  I thank them for their efforts to serve others and their willingness to help mankind.  Take a moment and reflect on those heroes in your life.  Tell those close to you “thank you”.  Make time to serve someone today.  We are given but a few moments on this earth.  Let’s make them count!

~Coletta Jones Patterson