Real Heroes

A few weeks ago, while running errands with my two youngest children, my 4 year old son got unusually quiet. After a few moments, he spoke.

“Fireman, policeman, ambulance man.” Another pause, and then, “Hey mom, can you think of any other superheroes?”

“What about Superman? Or the Incredible Hulk?”

His answer was not at all what I expected to hear.

“No, I mean real superheroes. Those guys are just made up. Like a fireman, mom. I mean real superheroes like that.”

My children amaze me sometimes.

Despite his young age, despite the overabundance of comic book heroes he encounters on a daily basis, my son acknowledged a profound truth. Real heroes are not made of steel. They are not the result of some genetic experiment gone awry. They do not come from worlds away, sent on a mission to protect the innocence of mankind.

They are, in fact, ordinary people who have made an extraordinary decision. They run into a burning building, with no regard to their personal safety, on the chance that there might be a life to save inside. They face down evil, putting their own lives at risk, in order to prevent heartbreaking tragedy. They travel to the other side of the world and face down those that hate them not because of who they are, but because of what they stand for. Brave. Courageous. Selfless.

The majority of these heroes will never be given a key to the city. They will not be decorated with shiny medals proclaiming their valour. Their names will not be splashed across the headlines or celebrated through the streets. But they deserve that, and more.

Instead, we can accept a ticket without attitude or complaint. Pull over for passing emergency vehicles, quickly and completely. Move slowly around officers on the side of the road. Practice patience while waiting in a back up, knowing that somewhere ahead there are heroes at work.

And thank them. Let them know we are grateful for their service, that we see all they are giving up and the great risk they are undertaking. Two little words. It’s the least we can do.  Because each and every one of these amazing men and women? They give us so much more.