Everyday heroes ;-)

I sat today and thought about some every day heroes that I have in my life and wanted to write about them and dedicate this blog to them.

Heroine One
My first everyday hero lives near me. In my life she has been a youth leader, a musician, a neighbour and awesome to know. During my younger years of knowing her, she slowly lost her hearing yet she carried on hiking tramping and teaching me how to survive outdoors - something I don't say out loud ;-) In the last few years she has lost her sight. Even then she is the chorister for a large congregation and in order to lead everyone is singing she memorises every word. Today she had to memorise a whopping 1000 words, that's on average 7 songs a week! She is an amazing example to me of someone who has strives to live regardless of the restrictions of her body.

Hero Two
My next hero also lives nearby. I grew up with his children and think that he and his wife are the sweetest couple. Growing up,  he was a handyman/mechanic/a fixit man. There was always something going on at his place.... Over the last decade or so his eyesight was lost. He and his wife now walk everywhere because of her poor eyesight which prevents her from driving...I actually have never seen her drive ;-) To lose an important ability as eyesight would make a weaker man negative and bitter, instead what I love is that he is genuinely the funniest man around - with a sense of humour that lightens moods and rooms.

Heroine Three
I am reminded of one of my son's basketball coach/managers when they were at primary school. Basketball was obviously something that she knew a lot about and loved to be an active mother in her children's schooling and extramural activities. The problem was that an accident several years before made it extremely difficult for her to walk unaided. Such was the damage to her foot that years after this she lost her leg to her knee. She was an awesome coach then and even now I am sure she is working those sidelines from her wheelchair. I have not seen her for years, but her example will be with me forever.

Hero Four
I was at highschool with a young man who was severly disabled. His fingers were curled, his body was crooked and his speech was hard to understand. He could not walk well unaided and usually had crutches and later a bike. Regardless of the body that he was born into this young man was known to everyone, was friendly and has the greatest personality. His power to overcome his limitations and the attitude he possesses is mind blowing. Of all his achievements that he has done - I still remember hearing about him doing the New York Marathon! What an inspiration you are.

Just writing about these people makes me smile...and reminds myself (an 'able' bodied person) that life is for the living and if my heroes can do it with their physical challenges - so should I. There are no excuses..

Yours in friendship

Mxox