In my last blog I rambled on for ages about going out and living life while you can as none of us know when our time is up, whether you've been given an idea of an end date or if you're Jo Blogs walking down the street....
Something I've realised on reflection is that I spoke of my dad as a bit of a hero for having the courage to take his own advice and life for his dreams.... BUT something I neglected to mention in my blog is the fact that if you're reading this, then you're all heros in your own rights!!
Some define heroism as:
"A hero is a person who momentarily loses his sense of self preservation for the good and well being of others without any promise of reward"
"Someone who puts their lives at risk to save/help others without any thought or fear of their own lives."
We all have our own definitions of heros, some people worship filmstars, footballers, musicians.... some people have a deep seated respect for the nurses/firemen/lifeguards who risk their lives everyday.... up until very recently I was foolish enough to declare that I did not hero-worship, or really have any heros at all, how rediculous of me! I am very very happy to admit in this public setting that I was wrong and I've always had heros, just been too proud to admit it.
I believe you don't have to "win" to be a hero, to use a football analogy - Man United play against Heatherside Under 12s.... Man United win 15-2 but Heatherside are the heros for stepping on the pitch let alone getting those 2 goals.
Having the courage to fight the fight, step into battle or however you see your approach to your relationship with cancer... is amazing, fullstop. no arguments. If you're fighting to win or just fighting to live then you've already won in my humble eyes!
Some people's biggest heros are the people they love for the smallest things they do to make their world that little bit more beautiful... I think we all know someone or have known someone who does this, wether its Mozart, David Beckham, your wife/husband, your kids or a babies laugh :)
Joseph Cambell attempted to define love and came up with something along the lines of: Love is when you unconciously neglect the most basic human instinct of self-preservation and are willing to sacrifice yourself for another. (sounds familiar to the definition of hero yeah?)
On this forum I read a lot of love (heroism) everyday; from the people posting jokes to keep up moral to the concerned family members searching for the best way to be there for someone... to love that much means you're a hero, not only in my eyes but I'm confident in the eyes of everyone else... even if we dont say it to each other out loud.
So to all of you on here:
The families
The friends
The nurses
The patients
You are all heros and I couldnt respect you all more.
