"Do you have a story of heroism?"

[asakiyume]

The healing angel has an English assignment he really doesn't like: he has to have someone he knows tell him a story of personal heroism--they have to tell him about something they did that's heroic. It doesn't have to be capital-h heroic; it can be everyday heroism ... the point (if I understand it right) is to think about what heroism is and how it can be present in anyone's life.

We talked about it a while. What sparked in my mind was a world filled with heroes, how everyone surely does have stories--though I think lots of people have been too beaten down or derided to feel bold enough to acknowledge their own heroism.

I had to pick up something the next town over, and I got it into my head that I'd ask--if I could do it without making the people I asked too uncomfortable--about heroism.

I asked two people. One was a woman at the cash register at a shop where I bought something. The other was a guy sitting on a stoop collecting money in a plastic cup. I was really tentative both times, asked if it was okay to ask a strange question, etc. etc.

The woman at the cash register was nonplussed. "A story of heroism, huh? I don't know; I've never thought about it. That's a really hard question!"

"Should I let you off the hook? It's okay if nothing comes to mind," I said.

"Really? Okay! Yeah, it's just--I can't seem to think of anything right now," she said.

"I understand! I don't know what I'd say if someone dropped the question on me, either. I guess it's lucky I'm asking instead of being asked," I said.

She had very pretty red lipstick on and the dramatic eyeliner that's popular these days. That's what I remember about her looks.

The guy on the stoop did have a story for me:

"My daughter had her son taken away from her because she's a heroin addict. So three times a week, I make my way to B-town so I can spend time with him. Whatever he wants to do, even if it's just watch Power Rangers, that's fine by me," he said.

I was practically overcome.

"Wow, that's really great. That really is heroism. Thank you, you've really made my day," I said, and he really had, because what an amazing thing to share.

"You've made mine, too," he said, and extended a hand, and we shook.

What I remember about him was that he had sandy-colored hair and a goatee, and tattoos on his neck.

... Please feel free, but not compelled, to share a story of heroism...

Comments

[cecile-c.livejournal.com]

My great-uncle is Jewish. During WW2, he stayed in France to help Jewish children cross the border into Switzerland. He didn't cross it himself.

A colleague of mine is also Jewish (no, I'm not specifically looking for stories of Jewish heroism, it's just what comes to mind ;)). Recently, a couple of students in the school started to draw swastikas on the walls and wrote an inscription in the toilet indicating that she was Jewish. It was discovered after a couple of days that they were her own students she had been taking care of for two years already. She still comes to work, still organises projects with her students, still shows the same passion about her work. I should also mention for context that after the Paris attacks, a kippa-wearing Jewish teacher was stabbed in Marseilles, very close to where we work. And that it's extremely easy for teachers in France to get medical leave for phony reasons, there are no consequences at all. Still, she hasn't given up.

I'm glad I have people like these around me...

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

That teacher is so very brave, and she's doing good work, showing faith (or identity) can be strong even in the face of hatred--and perhaps showing them implicitly how wrong that hatred is.

And your great uncle--♥

I'm glad too, and glad to know these stories. Thank you.