They Walk Among Us

It's been the year of the superhero at the box office.  Those characters largely trapped in the pages of comic books have made it to the big screen and they're drawing big crowds.  The latest Batman movie, "The Dark Night," for example is shattering box office records, in total selling 300 million dollars in tickets in its first ten days in the theater.  But "The Dark Night" is just the most recent superhero flick; we've also seen Iron Man, The Hulk, Spiderman and more make it to the silver screen this year and all of them became blockbusters.  But as I listen to the buzz I think about the true superheroes.  They walk among us, those who quietly commit selfless acts, day in and day out, not for cheering fans but to do the "right thing."  No eye-popping paycheck awaits, no round of applause, no celebratory dinner, just the satisfaction that someone's life was made a tad bit better thanks to their hard work.  They perform so many tasks: they build houses for the homeless, feed the hungry, care for the sick, mentor the young and on and on.  And as we saw this week when a crazed shooter opened fire in a Tennesse church during a children's performance and members of the congregation tackled him to the ground, these men were willing to take a fatal bullet to protect the young.  They are the true superheroes.  So the next time you see a volunteer giving of him or herself with no expectation of Hollywood-style adualation maybe say a little "thank you" for all their efforts.

Comments

[Paul Piorek]

I wholeheartedly agree. Superheroes on the big screen, big-name athletes, and the celebrities we see in and out of the news every day are far from heroes, for the most part.
The church members who tackled the gunman are true heroes; people who give of their time, gifts, and talents to better the lives and well-being of others are true heroes; and those who care for the sick, disabled, or terminally ill are true heroes.
Thank you for a thought-provoking essay.
Paul

[brn]

So true - Nice post Rebecca.