MY HEROES!

My Heroes! We hear the word “HERO” used a lot these days – and it got me (Charlie) thinking – out of all the people in my life, “Who Is My Hero?” WOW, I never thought about this before. Being the “Type A” person that I am, I first did a little research. According to Webster, a hero is defined as, “a person, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.”  Then I found this one-liner, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”  Suddenly it hit me – there were two heroes in my life – Ann & “Boots” Sweet, my Mom and Dad!

My Mom & Dad were married for 69 years, now that makes them heroes right there! Both my parents were from large families, Mom from seven and Dad from thirteen. Needless to say, they both learned to make a lot out of very little. After they were married, Dad peddled vegetables from a Ford Model A pickup truck while Mom cared for my sister Barb. Then it was off to World War II, yeap, Dad got drafted! After serving in the US Navy, Dad returned home and went to work for Remington Arms as a machinist. They built a home in Frankfort, NY and there they lived together into their twilight years. Dad worked two jobs and mom, well, she tried to work, but when I came along (Mom was 38 years old in 1955) – let’s just say, I (Charlie), was a very needy baby! Poor Mom had to leaves the joys of her job to care for me – the sunshine of her life (lol)! Mom and Dad paid their home off early in life and they took excellent care in raising my sister Barb and I.

Neither of my parents had higher education past high school, but that never stopped them from achieving their dreams and living their lives to the fullest! Mom and Dad ALWAYS gave of themselves to others. Someone got sick – they were there! Someone needed money – they were always there! Something broken, Boots to the rescue – he could fix anything, and it always worked better than it did before it was broken – Dad had the magic touch. Someone needed rescuing – there was Ann & Boots ready to bandage the wounds, wipe the tears and of course, eat – it will make you feel better! Boy could my Mom and Dad cook! Oh, and did I mention what heroes they were to their grandchildren? Car rides to Cooperstown, ice cream, gifts, good food, good moral teachings and a love for each grandchild as big as the moon!

As I look at the various photos I have of Mom and Dad – I think – now these are real “WANTED POSTERS.” Wanted? Sure! Everyone I know who were part of my Mom & Dad’s life wanted them intimately entwined in their lives. At both their wakes the morticians were flabbergasted with the overwhelming amount of family and friends who came to offer their last respects – traffic jams! The Bible says that we shall be known by our fruits. Mom and Dad harvested a lot of fruit. It must have been somewhat prophetic that Dad sold produce from the Back of that Model A pickup – eh?

Heroes – Ann & Boots Sweet – you bet! They remained unselfish right to the end, putting family and friends ahead of their own desires and wants. Mom and Dad both retired on or about age sixty. Mom lived for 29 years and Dad 31 years after retirement. They traveled, went out to eat, enjoyed family and friends and continued to give of themselves to anyone who had a need. They did ALL of this without leaving behind any debt to their children. In their latter years we put Mom & Dad in assisted living to give them the proper care they deserved and worked hard for all their lives. Mom’s big concern, “You’re not using the money we have for you and Charles for all of this care, are you?” – she would ask my sister Barb. “No Mom, don’t worry, it’s your money and it will be used for you and Dad.” – Barb would respond. One day I was walking my Mom down to see my Dad, the five-minute walk took twenty-minutes because she would have to stop and rest every so often. “Charles”, she asked, “Will your father be OK. Is he getting the right care? You and Barb will take care of him, right? I’m real tired now and I don’t think I can do it any longer.” ”Don’t worry Mom, he’s in good hands, you rest, we have it all covered.” I responded. Mom passed two weeks after we took this little stroll to Dad’s room. To the end, Mom lived the definition of a hero, “a person, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.”  Mom’s life is summed up in this quote, “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”  YEAP, THAT WAS SO MY MOM!

And what about Boots? Well, also a hero to the end! Without his hero by his side, he was lonely, he missed Mom and he wanted to go home to be with her. Did Boots give up? No. Like any hero worth his weight, as he came upon this earth, so Dad wished to leave, quietly and without notice. Kind of like when Superman in the comics would save the day, and when the folks turned to thank him, whoosh, he’s gone with just the sound of a whisper of wind. Dad’s life so exemplified this quote, “Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. He is the hero, he is everything. He must be a complete man and a common man and yet an unusual man. He must be, to use a rather weathered phrase, a man of honor, by instinct, by inevitability, without thought of it, and certainly without saying it. He must be the best man in his world and a good enough man for any world.”

My heroes are no longer with me, but their unselfish love, understanding and life that they gave to me will NEVER be forgotten! I am what I am today because Ann & Boots (Charles) Sweet loved and cared for me with an unselfish love, much like the love God has for us, an AGAPE LOVE, a love that looks for no rewards or for anything in return, just a pure love for one another. Thanks Mom. Thanks Dad. You are both truly HEROES in my life. Mom & Dad, see you soon, when we all will be united again in the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ!

To all our dear friends, until next time, May God Richly Bless You! Charlie-n-Sher