Atypical Hero

Most people have heroes that are older than them: parents, athletes, movie stars... these people are usually enamored by adoring fans and children who long to be like them. Kids grow up with role models who are successful in one way or another, especially when it's someone who lives an ideal life (or what seems like one.)

I didn't grow up with a hero. If you would have asked me a fifteen years ago, ten years ago, even a single year ago, who my hero was, I wouldn't have had an answer. Who do I look up to? Well, a lot of people. That's the only way I'd have been able to answer a question like that. A hero? Like what, batman? Tiger woods?

Thirteen and a half months ago, I developed a hero. But my hero is not famous. She's not rich. Heck, she's struggling through school just like I am. My hero isn't even older than me.

One of my closest friends got pregnant last year at eighteen years old. I can't tell you she wasn't afraid, undecided, or lost. She was all of those things. But after she began showing and feeling like a pregnant mom, her whole view on life shifted.

Every day through her pregnancy she looked more and more beautiful. As her belly got bigger, her view on life got so much more positive. Even before the baby was born, she realized that it wasn't her life she had to worry about anymore, it was her little one's future that mattered.

Four and a half months ago, Kali was born. She's beautiful (ask Fallon!) and perfect and happy and attentive and everything a baby should be. And my friend, the single nineteen year old mother, has become my hero. I couldn't imagine a better mother. Everything she does amazes me. She can make that baby stop crying by cooing at her. She holds her in a way that only a mother could hold the love of her life.

And on top of caring for a four month old, my friend is attending school full time and working three to four days a week. How anyone could manage that, let alone a nineteen year old girl, amazes me. I know it's happened before. She's not the only young mother to step up. But unfortunately, not enough mothers do step up and care for their children the way my friend has.

In the news yesterday I read a story about a three year old who was taken from the sixteen year old mother three times and given to grandparents twice. The third time, however, the child was given to foster parents instead of the grandparents because of a few silly citings in court documents like "grandparents gave the baby a binky against the mother's wishes..." this mother had her child taken away three times and her opinion about a binky is keeping her from good parents (the grandparents) who love and care for her. (read entire story at http://www.king5.com/localnews/investigators/stories/NW_120908INV_foster... )

When there are parents and situations like the one above in the world, I'm so happy to see a mom like my friend. She's truly my hero with all she does. I've never seen someone work so hard for someone else.

If only everyone could step up and give their lives for their children.

I love you, Maia, and I love that little Kali.