Everyday Heroes

by jusylee72

Everyday heroes in our lives Contest Winner

I meet heroes every day
People who understand life
People who listen
People who never judge
People who remember their own sadness
or joy
or triumphs
or failures
or griefs

Yesterday,
I met them in my aqua aerobics class
I got there late
very late
30 hours earlier I found out my ex-husband died
The father of my youngest son
a man who abused me
a man who at one time I am sure I loved

To say I am confused at my emotions is obvious
I don't miss him
I wish things were different
I question the times I also hurt him
I know I have a part in every part of my life.

I wear my heart on my sleeve
when you ask me how I am I can't lie
So the casual statement or question
"How are you today"
Brings tears to my eyes.
So, being me, I say my ex-husband died
and I swim away

They follow me, these semi-strangers
and they begin
Many of them have ex-husbands
Many of them have lost people they love
They understand the confusion that comes with death.

And in the 20 minutes left of the swim
they talk to me
They don't pressure me
and they allow me the grief I really don't understand.

My tears become part of the water
a small increment of salt in a chlorine pool
and I realize heroes are everywhere
and never even know

Their act of kindness
is cherished