'We're blinded by our own worries and don't open our eyes and see the wonderful people around us every day'

'We actually meet real life heroes every day - and don't realise it'

By: irishmirror.ie

Jun 25 2024
36
4872 Views

'We're blinded by our own worr

Sometimes we are blinded by our own little worries and concerns that we don't open our eyes and see the wonderful people around us every day.

For the past six weeks I have been wallowing in self pity because I can't get my 5k walk in every day as a result of a leg injury. I tore ligaments below my knee in the gym doing squats and lifting weights, believe it or not. There may also be a bit of arthritis apparently.

The training was a bit of a stupid thing to be doing for a 61 year old big fat fella but I thought I'd give it a go. Since then I have had physio, taken painkiller tablets but can seem to shake off the limp and the pain.

Like most men I am a very bad patient and get narky when I can 't go where I want or do what I want to do. I might not be able to walk far at the moment but at least I can get into the car and drive. Last Sunday was a scorcher so we headed for the sea near Dunany Point and overlooking beautiful Dundalk Bay. The scenery is spectacular with the Cooley and Mourne mountains in the background.

We were minding our own business and out of the blue I met a man I hadn't really seen or spoke to since we were at school in the seventies. I often wondered about him because he lost his leg in an accident when was in his teens in what was a pretty traumatic incident. He could easily have lost his life but miraculously survived.

But this guy is as tough as they come and against all the odds he has lived a remarkable life. I am sure there were often dark days but he never whinged about his accident and never let the loss of the leg stop him from pursuing everything he wanted to do in life.

He has had a great career working in the public sector, married a lovely woman and has been blessed with children. Now retired he got to achieve everything he wanted. Here he was walking around taking pictures on a wonderful day thankful for all his blessings

This man is one of many brave heroes living among us who never moan or complain and just get on with the business of living. They don't need the big house or the brand new cars on the driveway; they provide leadership and help to those around them in a humble and discreet way in their communities.

He also told how a Christian Brother we both hugely respected had passed away working on the missions in Kenya in 2013 and had been buried there. He died doing what he loved best, helping others. Not all Christian Brothers were perverts. This particular teacher was our school Principal and an inspirational figure to so many of our generation at our own school, St Joseph's CBS, Drogheda.

He went way above the call of duty bringing us in for night study to make sure we all got top grades in our exam. The same brother also loved business and entrepreneurs. When he headed off to Africa we were devastated but Drogheda's loss was Africa's gain.

There was also another brother who we all adored. He used to say that every day you wake up thank God that you are alive. The older I get the more I am thankful. Many of us wake up most days giving out about everything instead of standing back and taking a few deep breaths.

We are so consumed in our own little lives that we can't see the woods from the trees. This is my favourite time of year - mid summer. Perhaps we should all open our eyes and appreciate all the wonderful things in life around us. We actually do meet real life heroes every day and don't realise it.

I enjoyed every second speaking to my old school acquaintance. But I also had so much respect for a person who achieved so much against all the odds. He could easily have wallowed in self pity but he never let his disability define him. He has lived a good life and good luck to him. I won't be moaning about my sore leg any time soon.

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