Unsung Hero

The word 'hero' can have different meaning to different people; for instance, my biggest hero growing up was my Dad. He wasn't an athlete or politician, he was never in the military, but he taught me values, morals and how to approach life. He worked two jobs a good part of my childhood and wasn't around a lot of the time because of it but, looking back now, he's an even bigger hero to me.

He did what he had to do in order to keep a roof over our heads, food on the table and clothes on our backs. If something broke at the house, chances were very good that Dad could fix it...and did. Dad's gone now, passing away in October of 2014 at the age of 88, and I miss him greatly.

Times have changed since my generation began its trek towards senior citizenship...and so has American society. In today's world, generally, two-income households are the norm rather than the exception. They have to be. It takes two wage-earners to provide a stable income for the family, one that allows for things such as cars for the young driver(s), college education(s) and all the latest, most current electronic personal entertainment devices: video gaming systems, cell phones, tablets...you get the idea.

Single-parent homes are commonplace as well. If you want to see the walking, talking definition of the word 'stress', try talking to a single parent having full custody of a child or children. Paying bills for basic needs such as rent, utilities, and transportation is tough enough; add in child care costs and college tuition and the task becomes almost insurmountable.

That brings me to a current personal hero of mine, one that works two jobs, goes to college and raises a child alone. Rent, utilities, insurance, car payment, tuition for higher education for herself, food, clothing and all the associated costs of raising a son...I can't imagine the stress in this young woman's life, yet she handles it with aplomb. My wife and I know very well how good of a mother she is because we have the privilege of calling her our 'adopted daughter', a gal we love very much; her son, Butch, calls Stacy and I Mamaw and Papaw, and he is one of the centerpieces of our lives.

My hero's name is Cassy Hetrick.