Reader Challenges
Heroes
Inspired by Heroes For My Son, a collection of heroes put together by bestselling author Brad Meltzer, this month's Reader Challenge encourages you to share your own heroes. In 50 words or fewer, tell us why this person means so much to you. We'll select our three favorites, each of whom will receive a signed copy of Heroes For My Son. Be sure to post your hero here by June 6th at 11:59pm EST to be considered.
Replies (19)
Posted by
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My friends are my heroes...because they have great energy, enjoy life, live fully and love big--and, amazing as they are--they think I am wonderful, too.
May 19, 2010 8:46 pm
by teribern -
My father-in-law, Bob, is my hero. He started his adult life with no resources and built an extremely successful business from the ground up. He also has constantly and lovingly cared for my mother-in-law, who has a chronic illness. And he raised my wonderful husband!
May 25, 2010 1:54 pm
by molek -
I have a couple of grade school teachers that I would count as heroes (role models). One was a second grade teacher named Miss Choate. The other was Mrs. Fistler, my junior high English teacher. Both of these women installed a love of the written word and set me on a path of a lifetime of pleasurable reading.
May 25, 2010 2:28 pm
by Cheryle -
I learned to read, I learned to sing, I learned to share, and I learned to care...all at the knee of my blind and deaf grandfather. I learned to really look, take time to see, listen carefully and hear clearly. I learned that a 5-year old cannot sneak past her grandpa, no matter what his challenges and capabilities. I dedicate my doctoral work in education to my first and best teacher, my grandpa!
May 25, 2010 4:24 pm
by ggarner58 -
I had few role models growing up, so I turned to biographies for inspiration. Albert Einstein taught me to become a person of value. Theodore Roosevelt taught me the values of hard work and action. Mother Theresa taught me that love and sacrifice bring fulfillment. Great people inspire greatness.
May 25, 2010 4:28 pm
by lakermrb -
My daughter, Jackie, is my hero. For the last 10 years she has worked with refugees in Africa, "counting bad things" as she says. These began with torture as she designated people refugee status, and now mean rape as she helps Congolese women. Jackie is 37, she began volunteering in her 20s, she is giving her life to the vulnerable and the abused.
by cherylk -
My hero is Elisabeth Elliot. Not only is she a wonderful writer, she has lived a life of integrity and deep faith. She inspires me to be joyful in this life that God has given me. Although widowed twice and now married a third time, she has been single more years than married. She inspires single women to be wise in love. In addition, she has lived courageously. Her first husband was martyred for his faith. She continued their work while raising their daughter alone. Her second husband died from cancer, yet she continued to be a model of strength. She is brave and always speaks in truth and love.
by Mom1 -
My hero is Natan (Anatoly) Sharansky. Suffering years of imprisonment in the Soviet Union, he became a symbol of human rights. After his release this modest man served in the Israeli government, championed the cause of democracy throughout the world and has authored several books. He never swayed from his ideals for the sake of expediency and is truly an admirable person.
May 26, 2010 4:35 am
by annice -
The most heroic deed is not celebrated, not even known. Manifested everyday in common people who suffers in silence for their loved ones. No need to look far and beyond, just true and discover that heroes are amongst us, in each one of us!
by ladybeth22 -
My son, Simon, is my hero. From a young age he has always known his path in life. Graduating high school early, he entered the military. He has just returned from 20 months in Afghanistan and still loves what he does. He told me he knows he was meant to protect and serve. He is only 22. I am proud that he is my son.
May 26, 2010 7:20 am
by destinybay -
Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) Is my Hero. When I was at the nadir of a suicidal depression, He spoke to me and filled me with supernatural Love, transforming me into a compassionate man who lives His Way. He continues to speak and to supply all my needs for over nine years.
May 26, 2010 9:01 am
by xerosisonek -
My coach, Scott, is an Everyday Hero. He embodies everything I find valuable. He is an intelligent, creative, supporting, selfless man. If I turn out to be half the person he is, I will have accomplished my goal in life.
May 26, 2010 5:18 pm
by samke23 -
My son-in-law Tim is a hero. CEO of a Fortune 500 company, he was prosecuted under the honest fraud statute and sentenced to 18 months which he is presently serving. He has provided an example for his three children by accepting his fate and becoming stronger in the process. His keen mind and personal theology has provided inspiration to all of us. We pray he will be exonerated by the Supreme Court when the action appears before it in June. Even if the action should fail, he inspires me daily with his strength and perserverance.
May 26, 2010 9:22 pm
by pdibble -
My mother, Carol. She and my father were ready to move into a new house in 2000 when my father started to feel bad. He went to the hospital and found that his cancer was back and bad. Before I could get there he was on a respirator. He passed away. She came back to her home. Found a house and started working again. She found a job at Arkansas Hospice. She has spent the last 8 years tirelessly working many hours to assure that people that are going threw what she did have a nice face to see and that the patients are happy at home. I never talk to her than she is working even late at night. She is my hero.
May 27, 2010 1:27 pm
by tichelle -
My grandmother, a teacher and friend. A college-educated and working mother many years before the norm, her well-lived life was of joys and tragedies, memorable days and thousands more simply ordinary. She was a smart, funny, generous, imperfect woman who lived 97 years always looking forward to tomorrow.
by thehappywordsmith -
My high school English teacher, Mrs. Austin, is my hero for always going beyond her classroom duties to foster my love of reading and writing, and all of her students' interest and enjoyment of literature. Though she was only officially my teacher for one semester, we had a close relationship for three years. She has made me appreciate the effort that all teachers but into their work, and has helped me become a more confident individual. The fact that I wasn't on her roster was never a factor in her willingness to help me, and I know I'm not the only one that she treated as such. She is truly my hero.
Jun 2, 2010 12:07 am
by GraceGorski -
I admire the Reverend Troy Perry, founder of Metropolitan Community Church. While I am not a “Christian,” his courage in seeking to provide clerical, religious ministry to the Bi-, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender community the dark ages of 1968 touches my spirit and encouraged me as a young gay man.
Jun 3, 2010 3:41 pm
by nothingpetty -
My daughter Steph is my hero- for living out her beliefs despite tremendous personal sacrifice Pregnant at 17,she chose to accept the challenges of parenthood at an early age.While others are frolicking on college campuses enjoying the freedoms of dormitory life, my daughter balances changing diapers, school and work. Did she realize all that was contained within choices she made? Probably not, but she has embraced her challenges with courage and strength and has earned my deepest respect!
by deeronca -
Thanks, everyone, for sharing your heroes! We loved reading about them. It was hard but we've picked our winners--here they are, in no particular order. Each winner will receive a signed copy of Heroes For My Son. Congrats!
“I learned to read, I learned to sing, I learned to share, and I learned to care…all at the knee of my blind and deaf grandfather. I learned to really look, take time to see, listen carefully and hear clearly. I learned that a 5-year old cannot sneak past her grandpa, no matter what his challenges and capabilities. I dedicate my doctoral work in education to my first and best teacher, my grandpa!”
–ggarner58
The most heroic deed is not celebrated, not even known. Manifested everyday in common people who suffers in silence for their loved ones. No need to look far and beyond, just true and discover that heroes are amongst us, in each one of us!
–ladybeth22
My grandmother, a teacher and friend. A college-educated and working mother many years before the norm, her well-lived life was of joys and tragedies, memorable days and thousands more simply ordinary. She was a smart, funny, generous, imperfect woman who lived 97 years always looking forward to tomorrow.
–thehappywordsmith
by MaggieH (admin)