Wednesday, September 14, 2005

ROUND ROBIN - HERO'S

The Round Robin challenge this time around is "Hero's".

Of all the important people who have been hero's in my lifetime, I have to showcase my parents. I am the most blessed person when it comes to family.

This picture is close to 30 years old. In my minds eye when I think "Mom" or "Dad" the faces that come to me are the faces of their youth and not the Grandma and Grandpa that they have morphed into. Sometimes I dream about them and I see them also as young and vibrant. I awake feeling I have been given a wonderful gift.

A hero is someone you look up to and admire. Someone who is brave in the face of adversity. Someone who can sacrifice for the right cause or any cause that needs help. Hero's are people who help other people. Who have strong convictions about right and wrong. Who lead by example. Who do the right thing even if it is the hardest path to take.  Hero's are people who put the greater good ahead of themselves. They are not selfish, they are not hypocrites. They are kind and generous. Stern and unbendable when they have to be. They live the law of love.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

I could fill page after page of my parents teaching this to their six children. The times when the less fortunate kids from our school would be in our kitchen making Christmas cookies with us. The year we had a house full of girls from South America, who went to the all girls college and could not go home for Christmas so they were at our house. When the neighbor that lived behind us came to the back door to ask my Mom for help, and she was always helped. The bags of corn and tomatoes that were given as gratitude, because the money would/could never be paid back. My father doing income taxes for the elderly and illiterate. My parents paying for memberships to the swimming pool for families that could not afford it. My mother giving away a full blooded Brittany Springer Spaniel puppy to a family who could not pay the asking price and the children were heart broken.

They taught me to give as a way of life.

We celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary several years ago. Hundreds of people came to the party! People came from all over this country to celebrate the auspicious occasion. I heard story after story about their kindness. Some of them whispered in my ear. Others were told looking me directly in the eye.  Some with their eyes downcast. The stories had one common theme, how my parents had changed their lives with some small or large kindness. As simple as the offering of support or encouragement when needed. One teenager told  me of a card with $100 tucked inside so she could go to camp with the other kids.

I know there are a lot of hero's out there in this world. My two hero's come from my small little place in this world.

My parents.

 

The other Round Robin participants:

Participating Robins...

Monica (Mamarazzi)

http://journals.aol.com/photographybymon/Mamarazzi/

Carly (Ellipsis) POSTED!

http://journals.aol.com/ondinemonet/Ellipsis/

Phinney (Paragon)

http://journals.aol.com/geminiwilder/Paragon/

Cosette (Pandora's Box)

http://journals.aol.com/pandorasbazaar/PandorasJournal/

Derek (Derek's Picture of the Day)

http://journals.aol.com/deveil/PictureoftheDay/

Robbie (Robbie's Ruminations)

http://journals.aol.com/krobbie67/RobbiesRantsRaves/

Renee (wwwTimelessCalligraphyStudiocom)

http://journals.aol.com/acyrlicstains/publish/

Aunt Nub (Fool's Paradise)

http://journals.aol.com/montaukny/FoolsParadise/

Karen (Musings from Mavarin) POSTED!

http://journals.aol.com/mavarin/MusingsfromMavarin/

Mary (Alphawoman's Blog)

http://journals.aol.com/alphawoman1/Alphawomansblog/


 

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

SO lovely to hear you speak so highly of your parents. Yes its sad To see them getting older. As sad as seeing my kids get older.

Anonymous said...

Heros mean so much.
Renee' http://journals.aol.com/acyrlicstains/publish/entries/1458

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful essay, and what a great pic.  I hope you've printed out your essay for them.

Judi

Anonymous said...

What wonderful parents you have. I wish I could be like them. I am trying to do my small part. Tell your parents that Jane wishes them much happiness as they grow older and I think they are truly, truly heros!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful entry!  Thank you for sharing.
Donna

Anonymous said...

Mary, your parents really are amazing people.  How lucky you are to have them...and how wise you are to appreciate them.  Lisa  :-]  

Anonymous said...

That is a tremendous example of what a person does but putting others needs ahead of their own.  You are truly blessed.  Wishing them many more anniversarys and joyful years ahead.  An excellent composition stating your inner beliefs.         mark

Anonymous said...

They sound like a couple of the "good ones". Excellent! I hope I can be that good of an example to my kids.

Anonymous said...

You truly were blessed. This is how my grandmother and great-grandmother lived. My Dad was in the Navy and we lived on and off with them during our childhood. My happiest memories include them. My grandmother is 93 now and arriving tonight for a two week visit. When I count my blessings she is at the top.

Anonymous said...

Wow.  They really sound great.  No wonder they're your heroes! - Karen

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful family.  Great entry for the round robin. :-)

Monica

Anonymous said...

Great pic and wonderful post. Your are lucky to have had such loving parents in your life. We all hope our children remember us a fondly as you remember your parents.
GVP
http://centerginc.com/gvps-way/

Anonymous said...

Wow, your parents are very special!!!
Your parents ARE true heroes.
You are so lucky to have parents like that.
Great tribute!
Great entry!

Marie

Anonymous said...

You have honored your Parents in a very special way. Keeping them in your thoughts with such conviction is a honor that can not be topped in any way. No matter what other say what you say tells me they are good people. I like this entry. My Regards, Bill.

Anonymous said...

A wonderful tribute. I remember the way they reacted when you told them you were pregnant--no recriminations, just love and support. Having to do the jig was a small price to pay.

BTW, you're mentioned in my latest entry. Joe, too.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mary :)

I love seeing photos of happy families. This is a lovely photo. Very good darlin, excellent entry. :)

Love, Carly :)

Anonymous said...

What a lovely and thoughful entry! Mary, you are what your parents are. No more guessing why you are so amazing and wonderful... http://journals.aol.com/dcmeyer420/DearDiary/  

Anonymous said...

wonderful entry and photo!

~  www.jerseygirljournal.com  

Anonymous said...

Now I know why Alphawoman is so wonderful - - you are truly fortunate & blessed to have come from such a solid, warm, & caring family. Thanks for sharing this.          Jon

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tribute to those who raised you.  This heros theme has some wonderful entries tied to it.  Your's is one of the best.  My parents were my heros, too.
Sam

Anonymous said...

That is just so beautiful.  You do them proud, Mary.

Anonymous said...

You are truly blessed, Mary.

Though I am certain that you already know that.

Alas, we have so few heros left these days.
So few people who are not afraid to stand up and say what they believe, no matter how unpopular. I don't really know your political affiliation, and hopefully it is irrelevant, but since you enjoy Lotus and the Belfast Cowby, (my own heros) we are probably on the same page.

I opened the New York Times today and was incredibly relieved to hear Bill Clinton speak out about the Bush administration's shortcomings in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

In light of the fact that I knew he and Bush senior were becoming bosom buddies in catastrophe relief, I had to give this man credit for saying what was in his heart. Too bad it was relegated to page 14 or 16. (Granted he also has an agenda, giggle giggle).

Peace,
MAryanne

Anonymous said...

Mary, what a loving tribute.  Thank you for sharing.  Also, thanks for visiting my front porch.  I enjoy your company. --Beth

Anonymous said...

Mary, that's just beautiful!

Anonymous said...

bless your folks. judi

Anonymous said...

You are indeed a blessed woman.

Anonymous said...

HOW SWEET IT IS. YOU HAVE A VERY LOVING FAMILY.  ROBERTA

Anonymous said...

What a blessing to be raised by those with kind hearts and good minds.
                                                                                               Cyndy