About Me

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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Monday, May 18, 2009

A Hero Is Much More Than A Sandwich

One commonality we all share is our search for heroes. We look to sports figures, celebrities, politicians, and are frequently disappointed when we learn they have indulged in performance enhancing drugs or scandals. One by one many of these clay soldiers fall.

About eight years ago, I met a friend my husband had made through business. We have been in the company of him and his wife of 50 years several times and always have a good time. The same types of ridiculousness make us laugh, and we share ideologies in many other areas: our children are a source of love and pride; we marvel a the beauty and power of nature; at irony and politics; we teared up when we watched Obama deliver the commencement address at Notre Dame, incredulous at his poise in the face of being jeered.

Several years ago, the husband was diagnosed with ALS. This devastating disease is progressive and aggressive. We've watched his body begin to turn on him and betray him systematically. He now must use a walker, rest after the slightest exertion, and is limited in the places he can frequent as everywhere he goes must be handicapped accessible. Not once has he complained or had a 'my life is so tough' or 'why me' attitude. He talks openly about the changes he is experiencing and considers himself lucky to be able to prepare for the inevitable and say goodbye to those he cares about. We're planning on a cruise to the Maritime Provinces in 2011, and he will join us if he is able. He has not stopped living in anticipation of his demise, but has instead allowed himself to cherish what he has left.

And so it occurs to me that if there is a shortage of heroes maybe we're not looking in the right places. Why choose people we hardly know because of outward appearance, wealth, or the ability to throw a football, or hit a baseball when heroes like our friend are all around us? Come to think of it, why look beyond ourselves , why look to others for heroes when each of us has the power to be one?

17 comments:

jane said...

Amen. Thanks Kathy. Sending you a big hug-Jane

Anonymous said...

OMG, Kathy, beautiful and you are so right and what a great man your friend is - XXX, Carmie.

bettyC said...

Kathy, what can I say...so beautiful and so right!
THANK YOU,
betty

TAG said...

Outstanding post. Love it.

TAG

Purple Flowers said...

A great post. You write so eloquently.

jane said...

hey kathy me again. a tsp of vanilla and raisins. first mix the dry then add the wet ingredients. let sit in the fridge for half and hour before baking. tell me what you think. un beso-jane

Jay said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jay said...

ALS is such a brutal disease. I can't imagine the strength it takes to fight it and not give up. This was a great post Kathy!

Brad said...

What a great post. I hope I have your friends grace when my time comes near.

Jamie said...

Beitiful post K. But then, they always are. Hope your day is going great. Hugs. :)

happyone said...

He is indeed a hero!!
A great post!!

cri said...

Cara Kathy, la prossima settimana ti inviero' un bel pacchettino......chissa' cosa ci sara' dentro????
Buona giornata. Cristina

Lena said...

Yes, he is a hero. Good for him to choose to live his life with a such a positive attitude. I am sure it is not an easy thing to do with such a brutal disease.

Thanks for the thought provoking post.

Cheryl said...

So well said!

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

This is a lovely post. A beautiful tribute to your friend and such a true lesson learned from it.

Anonymous said...

And? Did you have your coffee later? ;-)

CRUSTY MOM-E said...

what a wonderful tribute to your friend...ALS is awful because it takes everything away but the mind.

You're a great person!! I loved this post!!!