The silent, unsung hero.

everyone knows what a hero is… the first responder who runs towards danger when everyone else does the normal thing and runs away. The law enforcement officer, the fireman, the military soldier. And we love them, honor them, we need them. They protect us, our country, our society, even our civilization and way of life. They don’t enter that field to be heros, don’t even consider themselves hero’s, they just are. But if they do something above and beyond their duty they are honored with a medal or recognition. It takes a certain kind of person to be a first responder or soldier.

But there is another hero out there. Just a normal, average person. Someone like you. They don’t it for recognition, don’t brag about their deeds. They just get up in the morning and go to work, do their job, then come home. Repeat.

Now, that doesn’t sound to heroic, but under the right circumstances, it is. And what are those circumstances?

you survived high school, enjoyed college, you were single, carefree, enjoying life. Then you met your wife and got married. Your life changed forever. Instead of going off to work and then joining your friends at a bar, spending the evening drinking, playing darts or pool, having a good time. Or maybe going to a nightclub dancing, meeting girls. Instead you now go straight home after work, spending the evening with your wife, helping her cook dinner, listening to her about her day, telling her about yours. Quiet, serene, comfortable. Then a baby is born, and things change. Diapers, sleepless nights, bottle feeding. Before the baby was born, dealing with a cranky wife, doctor visits, Lamaze classes, researching baby names. Every night. Now when you get home after a long day at work, you enter the house with anticipation of your wife greeting you with a kiss, and your baby gurgling and smiling up at you, with arms outstretched for you to pick them up. And then it starts to talk… incomprehensible at first, but then words start to make sense, like “daddy”, wow, that was exciting. When you get home, you play with your child, sitting on the floor, balancing that with talking to your wife. And doing house chores, involving the kid in them, maybe with your kids- plural. Your life is full, and you are loving it. After dinner, and a movie on t.v., you tuck the kids into bed and read them a story. You find yourself looking forward to this time with them, you love being a parent, and don’t miss the single life at all.

Now, you have parent /teacher meetings to attend, Boy Scout, Girl Scout events to go to, or help plan for. Soccer games, plays to watch, homework to help with. Balls to throw, talent shows to watch, songs to listen to. You are a parent, full time. And a spouse, full time. You have to plan birthday parties, buy presents for birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day,Christmas decorations, the list goes on. But you have to be there in mind and spirit if not in body. You can’t take a day off. Your reward is the sparkle in your wife’s eye when you come home and walk through the door, and when your kids shout “ Daddies home” and run up for a hug.

‘Don’t take all of that for granted. You are their hero. You show up every day, rain or shine, the constant, stabilizing influence in their lives. Your wife feels loved and appreciated, your children feel safe and secure. They will grow into responsible adults, hard working, honest, because of your influence and ability as a parent and they will follow your example as a good father and as a husband/spouse when they finally get married.

Being this kind of hero is not so easy, but it can change the world.