My Heroes

The title of our Lenten study book, What Makes a Hero, plus Pastor Joel’s sermons on prophets and on serving, have turned my thoughts to some of the heroes I have known.

First on the list would be my paternal grandmother –- an immigrant from Sweden who raised five children in New York City at the turn of the 20th century. The family had little material resources, but what they had was shared with even less fortunate folks. Grandma was constantly bringing food and clothing to others and taking into her home those who needed shelter and loving care.

The next generation, my parents, carried on the tradition of hospitality and giving of whatever they could to others. I didn’t think of them as heroes at the time, but Dad’s factory swing shift during World War II took a heavy toll on his health. Mom’s careful management of ration books and finances fed and clothed us in what now seems a miracle. They reached out to draw in a number of foster children, one of whom they adopted. Many others enjoyed hospitality in our home through the years. We were also nourished spiritually at our little country church, and my parents acted on the teachings of the church. Dad served in the Connecticut Legislature in the early 50s — a really heroic task because the pay was so low that he had to work in a factory each morning before donning suit and tie to drive to Hartford for the afternoon sessions.

There have been other heroes in my life. One church lady, whom we called “Aunt Violet”, was always quietly there –- hands in dish water, smiling, serving, caring — never calling attention to herself. Through the years, and to this day, the quiet, selfless ones have been heroes to me. One of the most beloved was Dick Harding who truly epitomized service and care — quietly and firmly doing what he could for civil rights, gay rights, truly concerned for others. His words of greeting any of us were “There he/she is!!” That was so characteristic of Dick -– always removing the attention from himself to show that he cared for the other person.

That’s what makes a hero –- selfless concern for others. A hero is someone who is always with us –- either in memory or in spirit or even in the flesh — caring about us, guiding us, serving us. What a gift from God!!!

-Janet Johnson