What does it mean to be a hero?
As a child, I thought I knew.
As a child I watched my heroes play baseball at the stadium.
They played the game like no other.
As a child I went to the movies to watch my heroes on the
screen. They fought the wars and won.
As a child I bought comics books to read about “super” heroes. Batman, The Fantastic 4, and of course Superman. They took
on all evil doers.
And as a child, I thought as a child.
But now I am an adult, and have come to realize that true heroes can not be found at the ball park or in football stadiums
or even in comic books and on movie screens.
I no longer go to ball games to search for heroes who hit baseballs or bounce basketballs. They will never be found
there.
Instead, I think of players like Jackie Robinson who not only played the game, but transcended it to open the door for many
others to follow after him. This is a hero.
I no longer go to the movies and watch “heroes” win wars, but think of my nephew fighting in Iraq to keep us safe. And I
worry for him. This is a hero.
I no longer read comic books about super heroes, but rather read about people like Mother Teresa who gave hope to
thousands who were dying. This is the real “super” hero.
We toss around the word “hero” today almost in the same way I did when I was a child causing the meaning to be diluted along
with those who truly deserve to bare the title.
Young people today would be wise to learn the true meaning of
the word “hero.”
Adults, would be wise to teach them.
Dan Celentano has worked with a variety of at risk kids for close to 30 years. He is author of a book for teenagers entitled Ten Essential Facts of Life Every Teenager Should Know ( see www.teenage-book.com ), and gives advice to teenagers on his web site www.choicesforteens.com In addition to this, Mr. Celentano speaks to high school students on various issues having to do with teenagers. Currently Dan is preparing for his next project which is working with blind children on his ranch.
Dan Celentano is available for freelance writing and can be contacted at ranch@copper.net.
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