A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.
-Bob Dylan
Ever since life has started, heroes were recognized and remembered anywhere. They are often defined as those people who laid down their lives for others, those who are equipped with willingness to serve and those who do not ask anything in return. One icon of heroism is Jose Rizal,
who, despite the intuition that his works meant the end of him, did not cease to fulfill his purpose --- to awaken the dormant minds of the Filipino people from the cruel and abusive ruling of the Spaniards that time. But, do we really have to die to be called "heroes" ?
A lot has changed. During the old times, heroes were characterized by their "heroic deeds" like having horrible creatures and monsters killed, leading an army against another and a lot more. But in this generation, you needn't to kill anyone or anything just to be given the name 'hero'.
In my 14 years of existence, I've known numerous heroes in this modern world. Some of them include teachers, soldiers and OFW's but if you'd ask me who my hero is, there's only one cherished above all --- and that is my MOM.
In my side, mothers should be credited as heroes. They've offered their lives to make everything convenient for us, they bore all the burdens that we are supposed to carry and they've always been and will always be our shoulder to cry on.
A number of years ago, in the time of my journey that I felt more lost than ever, Mom didn't desert me. She accompanied me in every decision I faced and she encourages me everytime I need to be. There are no words to describe how great my mom is, she's just the best person I've ever known. She is someone worth remembering and someone irreplacable.
But the real reason as to why I've chosen Mom is that I came to know Jesus Christ because of her. I've always been grateful for being a part of a Christian family without them, I would've ended up being an atheist. It wasn't easy for her to prove that God exists but she didn't give up on me because she wanted me to be saved --- and that alone is a heroic deed.
She introduced Jesus to me and I was saved. Having to know God is the most beautiful gift one could receive.
Let's go back to the first part.
"Do we really have to die to be called heroes?"
No. There is no need to such. Mom didn't die but I was indeed saved. Heroism doesn't mean dying for someone, it is about offering your life for the benefit of others.
My definition of a hero is -- someone as selfless and as simple as Mom.
