Everyday We Hear
about incredible human beings who risk their personal safety to insure the well-being of others, and we honor them for that. But I have been so blessed to witness a quiet heroism that may never be recognized on a large scale or even a small one for that matter, until now, in this article. This (s)hero lives in my apartment building. She is a small unassuming woman that demonstrates a courage and valor every day that she herself may not even be aware of. She loves. She loves everyone.
She loves everyone unconditionally. She loves everyone unconditionally whether they return that love or not. Often, they do not. But she is not deterred. Because she is a woman of deep and abiding faith, she knows that love is “the greatest gift of all”, and she gives it, freely. Her warm welcoming spirit greeted me when I was a stranger to this building, and she made me feel welcome, immediately. This apartment building was to be my first permanent home after being homeless for over a year. I was carrying a load of emotional baggage that had almost broken my spirit. I looked at her and wondered if I was even confident enough to hold a conversation with someone new. That’s how wounded I was. She looked at me and I immediately saw compassion and understanding there. I knew without her uttering one word, that she “saw” me and that she passed no judgements. She simply smiled that brilliant smile and asked about my family and my background.
A Quiet Hero
Linda REmson
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