Samhain Publishing Ltd Weblog

The True Measure Of A Hero

Most writers will tell you, creating heroes comes as easy as breathing. But have you ever considered what the true measure of a hero should be beyond the perfect match for the heroine?

Off the top of your head, name one person you would consider a hero? Your father? Mother? Friend? Someone famous? Do you even have a hero?

In researching facts about heroes, I found this piece from a Harris Poll taken in August 2001 — Pre-911:

Americans were asked a number of questions about heroes. Jesus and Martin Luther King were #1 and #2. John Wayne and Michael Jordan were in the top 10. What is more valuable to us now are the major reasons people considered their heroes to be deserving of the title.

Not giving up until the goal is accomplished – 86%

Doing what’s right regardless of personal consequences – 85%

Doing more than what other people expect of them – 81%

Staying level-headed in a crisis – 79%

Overcoming adversity – 79%

Changing society for the better – 77%

Willingness to risk personal safety to help others – 72%

Commanding the support and respect of others – 72%

Not expecting personal recognition – 68%

It’s an impressive list. Someone who has all of those attributes would be a hero indeed.

So, I sat down to do a little thinking myself about who I would consider my heroes to be. I’d have to say I agree with America’s 1 and 2 choices for heroes. In addition, I’d add all the men and women in our armed services who risk their lives daily for our freedom.

But along with these brave men and women, I believe that people who struggle daily with such life-threatening illnesses as cancer are the quiet heroes of this world. When I was twenty I watched my father lose the battle of cancer.

In my upcoming book SURVIVOR, my heroine, Grace Caldwell must overcome the fear of the disease that can be crippling at times and learn to both trust and love. The book is dedicated to all the quiet heroes out there struggling to overcome. I hope it brings a smile.

All the best.

Mary Eason
www.maryeason.bravehost.com
Survivor – Coming February 26