Buying Bigger Shoes

The passing of an American Hero

Buying Bigger Shoes

I’ve heard the term, “The Greatest Generation,” for most of my life.  And, honestly it didn’t have a lot of impact on me until, perhaps, the greatest hero I’ve ever personally known from this generation passed away very recently.  His loss has caused me to really stop and think about the attributes this man displayed before my eyes for more than thirty years.  Perhaps you and I might consider incorporating one or two of his traits into our own way of living.

First, he never considered himself to be a hero.  I call him an American Hero.  The truth is he is more than that.  After all, he and his contemporaries liberated the entire world from others that had already subjected large areas of our planet to their ruthless rule.  He, along with others, stood up and gave their all to restore free choice.  And, while that’s impressive, and earned them the title of hero, they didn’t stop there.  He didn’t stop there either.  Ever! 

Second, he never puffed out his chest and took credit for saving the ability for future generations to make their own choices.  He said, “We were just doing what we needed to do.”  His life was never about him!

Third, he was always focused on the small things.  He didn’t spend his efforts working to stand in the spot light.  He always kept his head down and his eyes fixed on the all-important details.  I never saw him miss one detail.  In fact, he would study an issue for hours and hours until he felt he understood every aspect and its ramifications.  When I would question him such exhausting effort he would reply with, “I guess I’m just more conservative than most.”

Forth, he never considered any kind of work to be “beneath him.”  He had the means to hire people to do lots of menial work around his home.  He took pride in completing the smallest tasks.  And, I never heard him complain about having to do so.  He made a conscious choice to do things that others felt were “beneath” them.

Fifth, he always put his loved ones first.  He would play dress up with little girls and attend sporting events for the sake of his grandsons and granddaughters. He was there whether it was convenient or not.  He never complained about the heat, location, or lack of comfortable seating.  He was focused on being there for the ones he loved.

Sixth.  He was a rock!  When the world was “crumbling” around others, his world was not crumbling.  He made the concentrated effort to make sure his health, work, home and finances were on secure footing.  The world was a safer place because of him!

Now he’s gone!  And, suddenly the world looks much larger and a whole lot scarier because he’s no longer here to protect you and me.  But, if we will incorporate what he taught us deep into our own characters he’ll, and the others of his generation, will still be with us.

We’ve lived with the greatest generation.  We’ve known them.  Let’s not forget what they’ve taught us.  Perhaps such remembrance, along with concentrated action on becoming who they taught us be, will allow us to carry on their legacy and fill their shoes.

I need to buy bigger shoes!