Hero-Worship

Homer: [to John] Dad, I may not be the best, but I come to believe that I got it in me to be somebody in this world. And it's not because I'm so different from you either, it's because I'm the same. I mean, I can be just as hard-headed, and just as tough. I only hope I can be as good a man as you. Sure, Wernher von Braun is a great scientist, but he isn't my hero.


October Sky

Being a parent is never an easy job. It is hard to find the balance between giving your kids wings to fly and making sure they don't try to fly so far and so fast that they crash and burn. We have to give them guidelines and rules and allow them to suffer the consequences of breaking those rules, all the while praying that they don't end up resenting you someday for it. I don't think there is a more gratifying moment for a parent than when their child says that, out of all the incredible people in this world that inspired them to be who they are, their parent is their hero.

I have three little boys and I have to admit that I get a boost of pride when one of them says, every now and then, that they want to grow up to be just like me. Being fully aware of my own faults and fallacies, I usually respond by saying, "Thank you, son, but I hope you are better."

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!

Daddy's Poem

My sister-in-law, Pam Martin, checks in on my blog every now and then and noticed that a lot of what I post is inspirational in nature. So she e-mailed me this poem and, after reading it, I knew I had to share it with all of you. I do have to warn you, though, that you had better have a kleenex nearby because you will need it by the time you reach the end unless your heart is made of stone.


Daddy's Poem

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back,
for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats

One by one the teacher called
a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
a man who wasn't there.

'Where's her daddy at?'
She heard a boy call out.
'She probably doesn't have one,'
another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
'Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day.'

The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,
who told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.

'My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories
he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.

'Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart. '

With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,
her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down,
staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.

'I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.

You see he is a Marine
and died just this past year
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy
and taught Americans to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away.'
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.

And to her mothers amazement,
she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.

'I know you're with me Daddy,'
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.


I want to express my gratitude to the men and women who have sacrificed and are sacrificing their time and sometimes even their very lives to fight for freedom and peace. I am grateful to the parents who raised these men and women of valor. And my most humble thanks goes out to those families that are left behind, some who never see their loved ones again when they are called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

Thank you, my friends!

And thank you, Pam, for proving that even grown men cry. I know now to never open your e-mails while I am at work.

If this has touched you in any way, I hope you will share it with others.

Look up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! ...

Isn't it funny how kids automatically pick a role model to emulate? You don't have to tell them to do it. They just automatically pick something and start acting like it at every opportune moment. As parents, we try to provide them with good role models to choose from. I mean, can you imagine how disturbing it would be if your kids started pretending to be Hitler, the Unabomber or Bill Clinton?


My role model growing up was Superman. He was the coolest! He is super-strong, can see through objects and can fly! (On top of all that, he was a nice guy, too!) I loved pretending to be Superman!


One day my parents bought me a pair of Superman Underoos. I was tearing through the plastic package like a kid at Christmas because I couldn't wait to wear them. I put on the shirt and the shorts and threw on the cape my mom had made for me last Halloween and "flew" out of the house faster than a speeding bullet. I spent all day jumping off of fences and porches and "flying" all around the neighborhood. It was great!


My parents thought it was all very cute. But, as I went to bed that night, they gently explained that the "shorts" were really underwear and are meant to be worn under clothing. And while Superman may wear his underwear over his tights, mine were never seen by the public again.


I still love Superman, and my boys have all acquired that same interest. My middle son, Joe, is a Superman fanatic and insists on many occasions that I call him "Superman" instead of by his name. He has Superman pajamas that he wore for his Halloween costume this year. He loves to watch the movies and cartoons, look at the comic books, and play with the action figures. He even has Superman underwear and on occasion will announce to a visitor to our home, "I am wearing Superman underwear! See?" He then quickly pulls his pants down before his mother can stop him so that the visitor can verify the truth of his statement.


Kids - you gotta love 'em ... because they are just super!