ABC Wednesday - H is for Heroes

At ABC Wednesday this week , the focus is on H.

After 17 days of thrilling Olympics, I knew H had to be for Heroes. Too often the heroes young people choose prove to be are less than heroic. But in Vancouver, many young athletes proved they had the qualities to be considered heroic. For example,

Alex Bilodeau - not only did he win gold for Canada, but he described his own brother Frederic as his inspiration and his own hero.

Joannie Rochette - She lost her mother on the Sunday before she was to skate. Yet she knew she must skate for her mother and their shared dream. What courage that took.

We need heroes, to lead us by example. But it is important that these heroes are worthy of our regard.

These are some of my own heroes - they all have strength of character and a strong sense of moral purpose.

Terry Fox - in his short life he achieved so much and he is still driving people each year to raise funds for cancer. His Marathon of Hope just keeps getting bigger.

Rick Hansen - Like Terry, he had a dream bigger than himself. His Man in Motion Tour took him around the world and raised money for spinal injuries.

 

Mother Teresa - She lived for others - to try to make life for the poorest of poor of India better, and to do it with such love and compassion and faith.

"We cannot do great things on this earth, only small things with great love."

There are many people who are everyday heroes, who give of themselves in so many ways. These are the people we need to honour - not tarnished sport and film stars.

To give of oneself in service to others is a noble cause. We would do well to emulate that ideal.

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