You are my hero.

No matter what you think…

No matter what you see when you look in the mirror…

You do not have to agree….you do not have to accept…

It is what it is.

You think that I am weird…not quite within the norm…and maybe a little silly for saying this.

After all, when you look in the mirror, you only see you. It is the same you that stares back every time you look. You don’t see how you could possibly be all that special. Eyes, hair, nose, chin, lips….they look the same to you as they always have. They are familiar to you…and far from ordinary in your opinion.

Since you cannot possibly see from my eyes, allow me to show you what I see when I look at you…

Your eyes have seen so much. There is courage and wisdom there that belies your young age. They are the eyes of someone who has known fear, overcome hardship, and found a comfort that works for you. Even when your mouth is quiet, your eyes speak volumes. In a single glance, they convey a spark of anger, a smile of derision over the stupidity of others, or the glint of humor. They are more accustomed to looking through others rather than at them. What sometimes seems to indicate antisocial tendencies and snobbery is often simply a defense mechanism honed from the need to protect yourself.

Your mouth doesn’t speak much. You have made a life out of keeping your own council. This only makes those things that you do say that much more important to those that love you. It is worth the world just to see your lips curve into a slight smile.

Ah…and your brain. You don’t think highly of it, but I do. You laugh when I call you smart…but sometimes smart has less to do with book learnings than life learnings. Your brain is one of my favourite parts of what makes you who you are.

Is it these things that make you a hero? No.

What makes you a hero is that part of you that is hidden the deepest. In and of itself, it defines who you are.

You share it, but with caution.

It is okay, most people do that very thing…at least the smart ones do. But in spite of everything, this part of you has a propensity for kindness and generosity far exceeding that of many hearts in the world today. It is this part of you that draws others to you. It is this part of you that brings comfort and warmth into the coldest of my days and makes me smile in spite of myself. It is the part of you that makes you my hero.

Surprised? You shouldn’t be.

Every time I want to hide, you draw me out without speaking so much as a single word.

When I am lonely, it is you that I miss.

And when things go wrong and I need a friend, it is your hand that I hold…even if it is only in my head.

You care for those that I love…even if you’ve never met them before.

And when I am excited and happy…you are the first one with whom I want to share the feeling.

So…yeah…you are my hero.

..and you don’t have to agree…

…you don’t have to accept.

It is what it is.

…and I hope it never changes.

arkmomy