Unsung Heroes

Unsung heroes are the people who go unnoticed but without whom you could not enjoy life as much. They are the people who do good deeds without expecting accolades. They don’t want applause or credit, and they only think it is normal to do great things. Here are a few of my ideas of those people whom I consider to be unsung heroes.

Inspirational people. I see these people every time I run a race. Today’s race was a rugged trail race that is known to be treacherous because of roots and rocks. It is not uncommon to see runners coming in with blood running down arms and legs. One of my friends showed me a scar on her arm that she has from falling in last year’s race. It is understandable if many runners avoid races like this so I was surprised today to see a man in front of me running with his arm in a sling. I was behind him for most of the race, and I was praying the whole time that he didn’t fall. After the race, I told him how impressed I was, and he seemed surprised that I didn’t think everyone didn’t come out with an appendage out of commission. It is hard to find excuses for doing something difficult when you see people who keep it moving forward no matter what life throws at them. We need them because it makes us want to be better and to be more grateful for what we have.

The caregivers. We stopped for breakfast after the race, and I saw a wonderful couple in their eighties that I have known for several years. The wife has Alzheimer’s but she has the perfect caretaker in her husband. I was showing her pictures of my new grandson and she began to tell me how they had chosen names for their children, but she forgot a name. she placed her hand lovingly on her husband’s chest and asked for the name which he told her slowly and patiently. The amount of love I saw in that brief encounter was uplifting. There are so many people who find themselves in a caretaker role. It is a heavy responsibility, but most do it with love and patience. What would we do without people who are so selfless?

Kindness spreaders. These are the people who believe random acts of kindness do more for themselves than anyone else, and who know that they should be done daily. They don’t need to tell anyone else what they did and often act anonymously. These are the people who pay for your coffee or breakfast in the drive-through line, who make sure to pick up a bill for a veteran, who…