Ordinary Heroes

Ordinary Heroes

BY REV. DONNA DAVIS, RN (YPIR)

Whenever we think of heroes, we think of those that most people know. We think of strong, in the public eye heroes. However, we all know some heroes that remain in the shadows. They are in the background being loving and supportive. My mother was one such hero.

She has always had an emotional and mental delay. I am sure that some of that was a direct result of trauma in her life. She always had a childlike spirit and was seen as emotionally fragile. She was also a deeply devout Christian who prayed daily for her children and grandchildren.

When I decided to leave my then husband for another woman, I was outed as a lesbian to her by my ex-husband. He was in so much grief and wanted to hurt me deeply. He knew that her pain would quickly become my pain.

When I told her that I wanted to be happy with my now, current wife of 15 years, she paused, took a deep breath, and said “you must know what makes you happy”. I expected her to cry and weep for her daughter’s soul. I expected Bible verses thrown at me. Instead, she held my hand and said, “this is between you and God”. She is my hero. The one who loves unconditionally without judgment and takes you just the way you are.

We all know people like that in our lives. These heroes. Silent but supportive.

Maybe there have been times in your life where you were the hero for someone else. Think of all the great heroes in our collective experience like Jesus the Christ, the Buddha, Gandhi, Martin Luther King. All these people started like ordinary people, humble people, who then become heroes, simply by showing up and helping others.

I encourage you to think of those seeming ordinary people. Ask yourself if you can show up as someone’s hero. Just by being supportive to others you are being a hero. It is important to show up for others because sometimes, you are the only face of compassion that they see.

An interfaith minister and life coach, DONNA DAVIS utilizes her life experiences to empower other people to overcome their struggles. Together with her wife, Norma, they manage Your Phoenix is Rising, a transformation coaching service focused on helping others rise from the darkness of despair and embrace their true Light Nature. Donna and Norma raised three biological children and served as legal guardians to several teenaged friends of their children during their time of need. Donna is a Registered Nurse at Parralion HCA Shared Services and Performance Director at Centers for Spiritual Living Ocala. She studied RN at Rasmussen College and psychology at Florida Atlantic University.