Hearing the word hero, often conjures up images of a military service member, a movie super star, or a comic hero like Superman. For me, the word hero has gained new meaning over the last twenty months. Writing and advocating about some of life’s toughest journeys such as cancer, deployments and Alzheimer’s, has given me the privilege of meeting ordinary heroes making an extraordinary difference.
Vicki is my best-friend-forever hero. She’s one of those people who didn’t simply choose a career; she adopted it into her fiber—teaching is her life calling. She makes an extraordinary difference in children’s lives. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer her first concern was the children in her classroom. My first Little Pink Book was created to bring understanding to her 2nd grade “ducklings,” so that they could be helpful partners in their teacher’s healing journey—alongside their unsung hero (and mine).
One of my youngest heroes is Sebastian. He watched his Mother fight invasive breast cancer, while internalizing her exemplary faith and courage despite the clouded prognosis. Then as his Mom was rising above the fight, my young hero was diagnosed with Leukemia. Being with them has taught me that no matter what the circumstances, faith has wings to carry you—they fly on those wings with hopeful attitudes that light up a room. When I’m with them, I’m truly in the company of unsung heroes.
Another hero in my life is Tina, also a breast cancer survivor. She gave me the privilege of singing her song by providing her chemotherapy journals during my writing of When Your Mom Has Cancer. I’ve labeled an upcoming workshop “The Pink Voice.” I thought of Tina when I named that workshop because she allowed me to, in essence, be her pink voice. Whether you’ve fought cancer or fought cancer alongside a loved one, your voice of hope makes an extraordinary difference for others.
My oldest hero is June, a grandmother fighting Alzheimer’s disease. I contacted her husband Bob for an endorsement of my book, When Mom’s Cancer Doesn’t Go Away. That request opened a channel to shine hope inside another of life’s toughest journeys: Alzheimer’s. Over the past year, Bob and I have worked together to create a book that celebrates the child-grandparent bond, even as disease is robbing prized memories.
My work with Bob Deits has meant the opportunity to return a gift. Sixteen years ago, I read Bob’s book, Life After Loss. At the time, I was facing losses that seemed insurmountable. His book gave me hope and courage—he became one of my unsung heroes. This month we’ll release press copies of that collaborative work, hoping to make an extraordinary difference in ordinary lives of unsung heroes facing Alzheimer’s.
Who are your unsung heroes? You might know a military service member that deserves to be a “sung hero;” in my life his name is Willis. However, chances are, your unsung heroes aren’t movie super stars or comic heroes like Superman. They’re ordinary people making an extraordinary difference. They’re unsung heroes touching our lives with hope, faith and love.
Maryann Makekau, Author & Inspirational Speaker (www.becausehopematters.com)
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