Unsung Heroes

Seven months ago I wrote an article titled: ‘In Honer of the Service Moms’ to pay tribute to some of the women I have had the honor to meet in the Grief Community. Because we are about to close out another year and embark on a new, I find it fitting to once again pay tribute to these Unsung Heroes amongst us.

These are women who are the warriors; they do not, will not, quit. They come from a variety of backgrounds and on the surface most likely would never have had their paths cross. From shepherd to city gal to world traveler, their lives are uniquely different. Some have loving supportive families, while others have battled cancer and/or disabilities and for the most part fight their battles alone. Most are grieving Mommas, others grieve the parting of their grandchildren and/or soulmate. Yet, the passing of our Beloved Ones has united us on a level which supersedes all differences.

All of these women have endured and continue to persevere because of their brokenness. They are motivated by Love. They do not do what they do for fame or fortune. Rather, their desire to never allow their loved ones to be forgotten fuels their endless hours of dedication to reach out to the suffering and brokenhearted. They have chosen compassion over bitterness. They are all broken alabaster vessels that emit a sweet fragrance of a healing balm. Tirelessly, they extend an olive branch to others who are war torn. These women are not superheroes in the sense that they are somehow gifted with an inordinate ability above the rest; they are simply everyday women who have chosen to freely share their talents with others who are brokenhearted. Their forbearance is truly admirable.

None of these women are obliged to do what they do. They grow weary and, at times, angry. They all have moments when they want to quit and have a need to vent. Yet, they persevere. I, for one, am very grateful that they do. Personally, when I have thought I could go no further, they have come alongside me to encourage and support. They are the ones in the Grief Community whose self-sacrifice often is unappreciated and goes unrecognized. To them, a simple ‘thank you’ is their great reward. For them, just knowing that one person has been helped and blessed by their hard work is all the encouragement they need to get up the next day and do it all once again. They willingly place themselves on the front lines where they often face an assortment of criticisms and unwarranted expectations as if they owe this self-sacrifice to others… which they don’t.

Please remember these women in your thoughts and prayers. They are no different than you nor I; they are grieving, too.

For those who never found it too much trouble
   To help their fellow man — nor asked the price,
For those who wield their shovels in the rubble
   While scholars scoff at building paradise;
For those who fetch and carry for their neighbours,
   Or wash the sick or sit beside the frail,
For those who earn a pittance for their labours,
   But never play the martyred tattletale:

For those for whom a word of thanks suffices,
  Or deem that it was meant, if never said,
For those who run a mile from fame’s devices,
  And hide their medals underneath the bed;
For those who slave in worn out wards and clinics,
  Or work beside the nurses, hand in glove,
For those who pay no mind to whining cynics,
  Who know the worth, if not the price, of love:

For those who give their lives to teaching others,
   Yet never learn the meaning of conceit,
For those who treat the homeless as their brothers,
   For men who empty bins and sweep the street;
For volunteers who listen — but don’t lecture,
   For coppers who would rather wear no gun,
For juries who can cast aside conjecture
   And steel themselves to do what must be done:
For friends who keep their temper, yet stay candid,
  For citizens who stand up to the yobs,
For those who bring up children single-handed,
  For companies who tailor-make them jobs;
For those who blew the whistle as they hung us,
  For those who stood when you and I would fall,
For these, the unsung heroes here among us:
  Please raise your glass to bless them, one and all.

by Felix Dennis

(((HUGS)))  Jude Gibbs, Author of ‘Gifts from the Ashes’ available at:
http://www.directtextbook.com/isbn/9781498496728?geis=y
Articles on WordPress.com: https://wordpress.com/posts/bereavedparentsblog.wordpress.com.

Also, a Contributor on ‘The Mighty’: https://themighty.com/author/jude-gibbs/

Please help spread the Word. TY! (((HUGS)))

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