Working on this month’s Flash, I stumbled on a song I never heard of before, She’s Somebody’s Hero by Jamie O’Neal.
This country song reminds us that a hero can come in all kinds of packages. A hero, contrary to how we’ve been taught, doesn’t necessarily wear a cape or have their photo on the front page of a newspaper. A hero isn’t measured by their social media following, the wealth they acquire, or how beautiful they are. Oftentimes, heroes are the ones who go unnoticed.
Moms are often overlooked for their heroic commitment to their children. My mom got married at 18 years old, became a mom at 19 and raised 5 awesome kids. She’s shared with me that when she was growing up she had dreams of accomplishing various feats, going to college, having a career.
She shared that she feels like she hasn’t accomplished much in life. She said, “I’m so proud of all you’ve done, because at least you’ve done something. What have I actually done?” When I heard her say these words I felt a pain in my heart that I can’t explain and I was in shock. My mom has always been there for me. We may not always agree and she may not always support my decisions, but she’s always been there for me. And to hear that this incredible woman is questioning her value and what she’s brought into the world was beyond my understanding. After all, I am everything I am and each of my siblings are everything they are BECAUSE of her. Because of her commitment, her unconditional love. Her job may not be the most glamourous and being a full time mom may not be listed on the Forbes 40 under 40 list, but in fact, motherhood is the most important job anyone can have – after all moms are growing the leaders of tomorrow. More than that, it’s one of the hardest and underappreciated.
I’ve yet to experience the great joy of motherhood, and I can’t wait for that opportunity to be given to me. But as a single girl of 38 who may have accomplished a lot of her dreams to this day, I look at my mom and I still think “I can’t wait to grow up one day and be just like her.”
Like the song says,
“She’s never pulled anybody from a burning building
She’s never rocked Central Park to a half a million fans screaming out her name
She’s never hit a shot to win the game
She’s never left her footprints on the moon
She’s never made a solo hot air balloon ride around the world
No she’s just your everyday average girl (but)
She’s somebody’s hero
A hero to her baby with a skinned-up knee
A little kiss is all she needs
The keeper of the Cheerios
The voice that brings Snow White to life
Bedtime stories every night
And that smile lets her know
She’s somebody’s hero”
So if you’ve stumbled on this article, my message to you is simple. Take the time TODAY and reach out to your mom, dad or whoever may have dedicated their life to care for you and let them know that to you they are a hero. A hidden hero, but a hero all the same.
Due to Covid, it’s been almost a year since I’ve seen my mom, since I’ve hugged her. And so this message goes out from my heart to yours mom. I love you now, I love you always! Every accomplishment of mine, every smile I may bring to someone’s face, every good deed I commit – is in your merit. You have accomplished more than you’ll ever know simply by loving me. Can’t wait to hug you again soon…
-Orly Wahba