Heroes and Heartbreak

by Madelle Morgan

 As I do every year on September 11, I think about true life heroes.

On this day seventeen years ago, one of the worst tragedies of the twenty-first century unfolded.

The sacrifices of so many courageous men and women on that terrible day are not forgotten. We owe them gratitude that we can only repay by striving to live up to their high standard of selflessness and courage.

The Oxford dictionary defines “hero” as:

1. A person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

2. The chief male character in a book, play, or film, who is typically identified with good qualities, and with whom the reader is expected to sympathize.

The first definition relates to a person in real life. The second relates to the fictional hero in a novel. A romance author is in a unique position to merge the two definitions of hero in her characters.

Fictional Heroes as Role Models

We authors can give our fictional characters courage and other noble qualities, thereby reinforcing in stories the high standard of behavior to which we can all aspire.

Our fictional heroes are often flawed and wounded, just like real people. In our stories, love heals the wounded hero. The romance describes the hero’s path to healing and happiness. Romance novels thus resonate with and inspire many readers, giving hope that they too can similarly deserve and achieve healing and happiness.

Real Life Heroes

We all have heroes in our lives. Members of the military, first responders—firefighters, emergency medical teams, police officers—and others in service to the rest of us are heroes. In fact I dedicated my most recent novel to them. (The dog in that book is a hero too!)

But heroes have many other professions and roles in our lives. Heroes come in all sizes, ages, shapes and genders:

• Caregivers.
• Teachers who guide us to be our best selves.
• Scientists who discover cures for deadly diseases.
• Volunteers in our communities.
• People who stand up to bullies.
• People who devote their lives and resources to helping the less fortunate, animals, or other good causes.

You can add to this partial list the heroes in your life.

Each person can step forward and make a difference.

In fact, every ordinary person who makes the world a better place is a hero. A person doesn’t have to win the admiration of thousands in order to be a hero. Unsung heroes may never win awards or be officially recognized for their efforts. It does not diminish their personal achievements.

Please take a moment to honor the heroes who gave their lives on September 11, 2001 while attempting to save others.

Madelle

Connect with Madelle on her website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Wattpad

Madelle writes romance set in Canada. Find all her books on Amazon.com.