Be A Hero!

Henry Jackson: Hi, Peter!
Peter Parker: Hey, Henry! You've grown tall.
May Parker: You'll never guess who he wants to be... Spider-Man!
Peter Parker: Why?
May Parker: He knows a hero when he sees one. Too few characters out there, flying around like that, saving old girls like me. And Lord knows, kids like Henry need a hero. Courageous, self-sacrificing people. Setting examples for all of us. Everybody loves a hero. People line up for them, cheer them, scream their names. And years later, they'll tell how they stood in the rain for hours just to get a glimpse of the one who taught them how to hold on a second longer. I believe there's a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady, and give up the thing we want the most. Even our dreams.


Spider-Man 2


If there is one thing that this world can use more of, it's heroes. We have plenty of celebrities these days setting great examples of sex, drugs and riotous living for our children to look up to. Athletes are more concerned over how many millions of dollars they will earn this year than their potential influence on today's youth. Not that I am saying all celebrities and athletes are like that. There are a few that I would consider heroes. There is just a significant amount of media attention given to those who set the worst example for our youth.

We need more heroes like Oprah who inspire people to live better. We need more heroes like Denzel Washington who sets a tremendous example of giving when he sees the value of a particular hospital and immediately writes out a personal check for the full amount to build another one.

But, most importantly, we need everyday heroes like you who sometimes must sacrifice grand dreams for the sake of being a steady provider for spouse and children. We need everyday heroes who sacrifice and give to worthy causes like the United Way, the Red Cross, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and similar organizations. We need everyday heroes who give more time and attention to their kids than they do to sports programs and sitcoms.

Be a hero!