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16 January 2010

IN PRAISE OF HEROES

Heroes. We all have them.


Whether it's a fireman rushing into a building we know will subsequently collapse or a child suffering bravely from an incurable disease, a parent who sacrifices everything for a child, or someone who does what we had thought was impossible; we have heroes.


Some of them are well known, and some of them are only known to those close to them. They're all heroes. In the human spirit there is both greatness and its opposite. In all of us. We get to choose what we will become―we can be a hero or not. It's up to us.


Some of my heroes work for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without borders). They go wherever they're needed to bring medical help to people who can't do it for themselves. They go independently of politics or danger. They go because they're needed. Some of them don't come back. They can have a complete field hospital on a plane and ready to go to anywhere in the world in less than 24 hours. It's what they do. Nobody does it better.


When I hear about disasters like the earthquake in Haiti, I want to do something heroic. I want to go and help people who are in a horrible situation. It could have been me. There's a photo that's haunting me―you probably know the one I mean―of a girl or woman trapped in rubble up to her armpits. She's looking at the camera. She's looking at me. I don't even know how to begin to get someone out of that kind of situation.


But they do--the heroes. They go where they're needed and they do what they need to do to help people who can't help themselves. Heroes.


I can't go to Haiti. But I can support the heroes who do. There are heroes who work for Médecins Sans Frontières, or for the Red Cross or for Oxfam or for Unicef or any number of other charities and aid organizations. You probably have a favorite one yourself.


Do something heroic today. Support the heroes.

13 comments:

Pam said...

Done.

Amanda said...

This is so beautifully put. I have done a little, but this motivates me to do more. Take care.

La Table De Nana said...

Kate.. just this week I had another wonderful uplifting conversation w/ my dentist..He is part of "Dentistes sans frontières~"or something similar..as he leaves Jan 23rd for Peru again this year..I think this is his 3rd or 4th year.. his hygiéniste dentaire ..one of them..is going along this year.. they both leave their spouse..and 2 children each respectively..to go and fix the teeth of people that have no care:(

It is advertised apparently on the news ..their arrival.. on radio etc..so that people will know and come..He is young..a good man..his hygiéniste..soo young so nice..
I applaud them also..you come home ..and think..thank God for people like them.
Great post~ Thanks.

Deana Sidney said...

NY firemen have already gone... the faces of the stricken are everywhere in NYC ... it is good to remember there are things that can be done. Thanks for the great words.

Sally said...

well said

pam said...

I am pleased to see the world rallying around and supporting Haiti.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Thank you for posting this. I think we as bloggers can help spread the word and hopefully get more people involved in some way - even if only to contribute with donations.

Kate at Serendipity said...

Thanks for your comments. These pictures just break my heart. And make me veryvery grateful at the same time. That could be me. Or you.

Linda, I agree. We can at least spread the word about how to help.

Monique, Dan does a lot of volunteer work with MSF. He teaches English classes for them, does translations and proofreads manuscripts. They're an amazing group of people, and we are glad to help them in whatever way we can.

Anonymous said...

A great post! I have my hoeroes too...very ordinary people, but exceptional strength...like the fireman I met the other day - a big guy, but gentle with someone who is afraid - a true hero. Like the man who stepped up when he saw someone else being hit in the streets - a true hero. Like the man who dug barehanded under the rubble to pull up someone from beneath - a true hero. I will support them all in any way I can.
ronelle

Anonymous said...

PS: J'adore tes aquarelles, surtout tes portraits! Quel talent!
ronelle

Barbara said...

Wonderful post, Kate. You are right on..we all feel the same way. Thanks for supporting Doctors without Borders; they do such wonderful work and yes, they are all heroes.
A disaster like this brings out the best in everyone. When Hurricane Andrew hit Miami, they had to turn people away because too many wanted to help. In Haiti safety is a big concern. That makes the aid workers even more heroic.

Simones Kitchen said...

Great post Kate! Just today I was in a shopping mall and a child and his mother were selling homemade cookies for Haiti victims. I thought that was such a great idea and ofcourse I bought some! I love little initiaves like that which all contribute to help the aid workers out there.

2 Stews said...

I have a friend who is a doctor and goes every year to help where he is needed. He called yesterday and is going to San Salvador. He felt tugged to go to Haiti, but this is his mission. I always ask my colleagues to upgrade him and his assistant to first class. Just one of my ways to show gratitude.

Thanks for the reminder to all.

Diane