Angela Giles Klocke | Colorado Writer, Photographer, Speaker, Princess

Dictionary.com Definition:
he·ro [heer-oh]
noun, plural he·roes

a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal

Too often, I watch the news and see the word “hero” being thrown about with little concern for what really makes a hero. I won’t say who I do not believe heroes are according to the media, but will instead share who the heroes are in my life — because you may never hear about them otherwise, but they are amazing people to me.

A hero is the nurse who treats you with compassion when some of the other nurses don’t because they don’t like that you’re a fourteen-year-old mom. Thank you, Nancy.

A hero is the home nurse who visits, listens, and does not judge you as a mother or as a person, who even goes the extra mile and helps you find childcare so you can return to high school. Thank you, Mary.

A hero is a school vice-principal who takes on a fatherly role, and through the years always checks on you to make sure everything is all right with “that boy,” and who “tips” you $50 when he knows you are in a desperate place in life. Thank you, Mr. Williams.

A hero is a business owner who takes the time to listen during an interview and then hires you because she wants to help, and then sends you flowers while you’re working in her business, just to cheer you up. Thank you, Rose.

A hero is a newspaper editor who looks a seventeen-year-old high school dropout in the eye and decides she’s worth giving a chance. Thank you, Skipper.

A hero is a doctor who treats you like a person, not just another patient, and who takes the time to fully explain what’s happening to you by drawing on your hospital sheets, and declares there’s no way he’s going to let you leave two sons behind. Thank you, Dr. Kitchens.

A hero is the woman who answers her phone in the middle of the night and then drives over 20 miles away to pick you and your small children up from the Greyhound bus station because she’s afraid of what might happen if she waits until morning. Thank you, Miriam.

A hero is a good samaritan who comes to a screeching halt and tells a carload of guys to take off, helping you as you’re stranded on the side of the road, and then insists on driving you to work, even though it’s 20 miles in the opposite direction, just so you won’t lose your job; and she won’t even tell you her name because it’s not important to her to be thanked any further. Thank you, Anonymous Angel.

A hero is the Avon Lady who shows up to sell product but then stays as a friend to pray with you during the most troubling times of your life, and who tracks you down fifteen years later to see how you are. Thank you, Leah.

A hero is a detective who has your back when so many others are against you, who steps in and hears you and believes you. Thank you, Detective Duncan.

A hero is the counselor who charges more than you can afford but instead of turning you away, adjusts her fees to something you can’t say no to, and then walks with you through healing. Thank you, Liz.

A hero is any number of people I get to work with at the pregnancy center and in the victim assistance program. Thank you, Volunteers!

A hero is a husband and best friend who holds your hand through the unpacking of all the baggage, through medical appointments for a body that has been rebelling for years, and through each minute milestone of life itself. Thank you, John.

Who are your heroes? Tell them!