Now, It's Just A Sandwich

Through no one specific event, but through a series of mini-revelations over the past several weeks, I have come to the conclusion that I am quickly running out of heroes - if I haven't already.

Maybe having a hero is a child-like need - a glimpse of what is possible to achieve when grown up - but a need that gradually erodes as the years pass.

In a way, it's unfortunate because having a hero is pure and innocent. Not having one usually accompanies cynicism and jadedness. I am that guy; just sometimes I don't like being the pragmatic utilitarian I am.

It's been a while since I've honored an athlete with hero status. Having the ability to hit a baseball or golf ball a mile, to hurl a baseball past a batter, or to dunk a basketball over a defender are respectable, to be sure; I just don't find those qualities sufficient for increased admiration to the point of quasi-idolatry.

In fact, I can trace the preceding sentiment back to one day in history: November 7, 1991.

Elected officials? I know too much about them to find many heroes in that profession. To be sure, I find that career field to be one of the noblest pursuits man can make in the public arena. However, it's an institution comprised of mortals; and possessing two of the common traits common in public office - oration and likeability - are not enough.

In essence, I've chosen over the years not to blanket-honor men and women based on one or two specific achievements.

Instead, I choose to find specific qualities about an individual and find those worthy of emulating.

Come to think of it, "heroic" is a word used with so much frequency, I believe it's lost its meaning.