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You Don't Know You Are a Hero

This was posted to the THL Forums back in 2004.  I still choke up every time I read this.

This past summer I ,sat in the bleachers in 95 degree, blazing hot sun and watched my Son at his All-Star baseball practices. At first I thought these boys, playing in little more than a COW pasture, didn't stand a chance to. win their division, much less even hope to go to
the State finals.

But, they did have a tremendous advantage Over every Other team vying for that coveted State spot..... a person who never let those boys think they couldn't be anything else but the best team Harnett County had ever seen.

His name was Coach Mike Langham. Coach Mike is a long-haul truck driver, who gave his time willingly and unselfishly-----he even left after a game ended at 10:00 one night to drive a load to Memphis, and be back in time for the 6:00 game the very next day.

I have never seen a more dedicated Coach than Mike. He Offered those boys more than his time, he offered them hope, he offered them faith in themselves, he offered them the chance to believe in miracles. Coach Mike was always encouraging-never scolding them for their mistakes, and always patting them on the back for their efforts----even if the efforts fell short of victory.

As the baseball season progressed, under Coach Mike's guidance.. . an amazing thing happened. The Western Harnett All-Stars Won their division and were destined for greatness at the State Tournament in Smithfield.

Although the boys were a little nervous during their first game, I watched Coach Mike as he paced in the dug-out, calling out praises when the boys made a play, even if the play wasn't so good He eased the tension the boys were feeling and took the entire burden on his own shoulders.

Game one --- they lost, but YOU Would have never known it was a defeat by seeing Coach Mike's reaction. He praised each and every boy for their accomplishments; he told them they were fantastic. Game two---a win Would mean the team moved forward in the tournament, a loss would mean they were eliminated.

They lost.......... but again, Coach Mike praised- "his" boys for the Outstanding job they did, and spoke to each one individually, and fondly before they left for their long rides home. A few of us parents lingered For a while for a chance to thank Mike. He was humble and gracious, and he apologized for not being a better coach. One parent said "Do YOU realize how many thousands of boys Would love the Opportunity to. even get to a State championship? You did a great job!"

As I watched Mike walk out Qf the ball park to. his car, his shoulders drooped, and it was then that I could sense that he felt as if he had let the boys down. Nothing could have been farther from the truth.

As we were driving back to our home that evening, I turned to my son sitting in the back seat and said Over my shoulder "Coach Mike seemed to. take the loss Worse than the team
did. I hope he feels as proud as we do for what a great coach he is. Without him, you guys would never have had a chance of getting to the State finals".

I'll never forget my son's reply.

He said, "Yeah, he doesn't know he's a hero."

When I was pondering what to say for the opening of our meeting this morning, I thought about what my son said, and I realized that we have so many heroes like Coach Mike right here among us at Head Start.

The teachers and teacher assistants.. ... your hugs in the morning, your smiles, your way of making a child feel loved and safe:

The nutrition staff..... you may be providing the only meal that a child eats that day.

The driver's..... without you so many parents would have no way to transport their child to their Head Start center.

The FSA's...... you make sure each family is provided with resources that will enrich their lives, and the lives of their children.

The administrative staff..... you bring everything together for the smooth operations of our wonderful program for the sake of the children.

It is your commitment that serves as a model for all parents and members of the community to emulate. And it is your generosity of time and spirit that secures the foundation for the future of young children in our community.

Yeah, you don't know you're a hero.

None of you know you're a hero because you care. You care about our Head Start program. You care about our community. You care about our parents. But, most of all, you care about children.

It is only through this outreach of caring and dedication that we can truly make a. difference in the lives of generations to come..... because the true measurement of generosity is not determined by the giving of material possessions, but rather by the giving of yourself.

Yeah, just like Coach Mike, you don't know you're a hero. But to the children whose lives you've touched in such a positive way you're nothing less........... for there is no champion more valiant than one who is seen as a hero in the eyes of a child.