Heroes, no songs

So today, I noticed some of the people at school who are heroes.

There's the Primary-grade teacher who's brand new, intelligent, capable, organized, and kind....who ended up with a very needy class--one that's both socially and academically challenged. She was not re-hired for next year, and knows it.

However: each day, she's still arriving early, leaving late, putting in tons of extra time on projects for the kids, and working on being steadily cheerful and kind to all.

Or how about one of the para-professionals, who's going through tremendous personal difficulties, but still manages to go through her day with a quietly cheerful attitude, and who volunteers to help others?

Then there's the staff person whose Mom is dying, who divides her time between going home to help and going to school for work. Who also remains in focus and generous with her spirit and energy, for the children.

Not to mention all of the children whose home lives range from typical childhoods through seemingly insurmountable challenges in daily life. Kids who are clearly struggling to control themselves, to gain mastery over their own response to life, to rise above their circumstances and soar.

It's amazing, isn't it? How so many of the people whom we encounter each day are truly heroes? Sometimes, that even describes ourselves.

What a rich and glorious gift, to interact with these folks every day. What a rich and glorious opportunity, to rise to the challenges in our own lives with the same grace, dignity and generosity. What a gift of grace, when we're able to do so.

May that be true, in all our lives.