One Book Sacramento Essay Contest
Adult category 3rd place winner:Dixie Chan
Lincoln
In a time when Americans are viewed as a nation of narcissists this amazing book tells the story of not just one American hero but a worldwide community that mobilized to create miracles. While I feel great pride and gratitude that an American, Greg Mortenson, is creating the miracle of schools in remote Pakistan and Afghanistan, I am humbled by and greatly appreciative of the 'hidden heroes' who support his endeavors.
The porter Mouzafer Ali who saved his life on the glacier, Dr. Jean Hoerni the first major contributor for the schools, Tara Bishop his patient and devoted wife, Haji Ali, Sher Takhi, Saidullah Baig are but a few. Much as a crowd along a marathon route handing cups of water and shouting words of encouragement to the runners these and many others helped Mr. Mortenson fulfill a promise to the small Balti village of Korphe, Pakistan. The individual acts of heroism by people too numerous to list highlights for us that hidden heroes reside throughout the world. They walk our streets, work our farms, swim our oceans, and yes, climb our mountains. They are us and they are among us and this book confirms that if we look closely we'll see them and we may even come to realize the hidden hero in ourselves.
A hidden hero is not defined by how many people he or she rescues and often they are not easily recognizable. Opportunities to be, or to aid, a hero surround us each day. A brief example of this occurred recently when I took my elderly parents to lunch at a local cafe. After a very long and trying doctor appointment for my father I needed some comfort food and my folks needed their coffee. As I eased the car into the cafe's parking lot I noticed a group of men standing next to their 'choppers' and Harley Davidson motorcycles. Bandanas, tank tops, and tattoos made me wonder if I should pick a different place for lunch; however, this cafe was one of the few remaining eating establishments that met my 'Great Depression Era' father's criteria for serving a cheap cup of 'Joe'. So I parked the car, got out, opened the back door and began to play the 'get out of the car game' with my mom. Helping my parents out of the car and into restaurants, stores, doctors, etc., is challenging. Parkinson's and Chron's disease has left my father too frail too soon and Alzheimer's veils my mother in a curtain that cannot be penetrated. My dad got out and I asked him to wait for me as generally I hold their hands when we walk through dangerous and uncharted territory. Our roles are changed but we are a community of three moving slowly through the world. Perhaps my dad's pride did not want the motorcycle fanatics (hell's angels no doubt) to see him helped by his daughter so he left the safety of car and cane to stride alone toward the cafe.
My dad stumbled and as his body fell backwards I could do nothing but watch, praying that his poor stubborn head would not hit the pavement. I had my mom out of the car and to let go of her was a sure recipe for not one but two fallen WWII veterans. The bikers acted so fast they were there before my dad hit the ground. They caught him in their arms, helped him to his feet, dusted him off, and walked with him to a table inside the cafe. Their kindness brought tears to my eyes as they seated him and shook his hand and then disappeared back outside to their bikes. These hidden heroes knew to give my dad back his dignity by making light of the fall and his frailty. A bus boy helped my mom and I to the table and I rejoiced at how quickly a community of hidden heroes can form to aid others in their times of need. Is this anecdote comparable to the mission of Greg Mortenson? Of course not, but it does show that people worldwide are still there to support our heroes. And, of course, in my eyes my dad meets the criteria of a hero.
Can we be heroes? Yes! This book is a reminder that opportunities for valor abound. It can be as small as helping an old man walk safely from his car to get a cup of coffee or donating pennies for school supplies in a remote Pakistan village. No longer contrite I now look forward to the occasions when I can become a hidden hero.