Hero of the Day

I've posted this one before, but because Anne was officially my hero today (she collected Macdonalds for everyone in the office) and I got to thinking of heroes in general.

How is it exactly that a hero is defined? Is it a single act, a commitment that is carried through or is it a case of just being there? I guess it's as much of being on hand at the right moment.

"Hero of the Day" by Metallica is one of those that always makes me think of home. There's something magically wonderful about being able to follow the usual path home and find yourself where you began. For me home is really where ever my kids (Jet, Indie, Jasper and Abby) might be. While for the most part cats don't really care for people as much as a puppy might, Jet is always waiting for me. He sits in the same spot every time I leave until I return. There's something amazingly comforting in that knowledge. The others... well, they're glad to see that the meal ticket has returned. But that's how they roll.

The beauty is that if we can be the hero today, then why not again tomorrow? From there, who knows, maybe a hero all round?

Mama they try and break me

The window burns to light the way back home
A light that warms no matter where they've gone

They're off to find the hero of the day
But what if they should fall by someone's wicked way

Still the window burns
Time so slowly turns
And someone there is sighing
Keepers of the flames
Do you feel your names?
Can't you hear your baby's crying?
Mama they try and break me
Still they try and break me

S'cuse me while I tend to how I feel
These things return to me that still seem real

Now deservingly this easy chair
But the rocking stopped by wheels of despair

Don't want your aid
But the fist I've made
For years, can't hold or feel
No I'm not all me
So please excuse me
While I tend to how I feel

But now the dreams and waking screams
That everlast the night
So build a wall
Behind it crawl
And hide until it's light
Can't you hear your baby's crying now?

Still the window burns
Time so slowly turns
And someone there is sighing
Keepers of the flames
Can't you hear your names?
Can't you hear your baby's crying?

But now the dreams and waking screams
That everlast the night
So build a wall
Behind it crawl
And hide until it's light
Can't you hear your baby's crying now?

Mama they try and break me
Mama they try and break me
Mama they try and break me
Mama they try
Mama they try hey!
Mama they try and break me
Mama they try and break me
Mama they try and break me
Mama they try
Mama they try

Because no matter how late... or how dark the night, the light will be on and there will be a little cat sitting waiting for me. In Jet's world I might be a hero, but he's always been my hero.