Heroes

Who is your hero? I guess the list could be lengthy. It could be a childhood teacher, a respected friend of the family, that elusive great uncle or your friends big brother/sister. I'm conscious about the choice of heroes from a different perspective now - Joni comes home with stories of how brilliant x was at school today (Usually for passing wind out loud or similar) and I wonder if I'm doing the best I can to steer them in the right heroic direction.

I've had lots of heroes in my life. For a while Bill Gates was the creative mastermind behind a shift change in the use of computers on business and personal life. I thought he might be an excellent hero, until you dig below to realise he was actually just a very astute, and I'm sure at time ruthless, businessman. Notwithstanding of course his more recent philanthropic work.

My more recent love for all things Apple mean that Steve Jobs could have been a target, but read his biography and you'll soon realise that, although he undoubtedly worked to create amazing products, he was single minded and somewhat troubled. (Incidentally I have a copy of his biography which you're welcome to if you want a read)

Earlier in life I had Richard Branson down as a hero. A rich man who made a fortune and an enormous empire out of nothing... Well a few records and a market stall. A possible target, but not sure if ultimate hero remains true.

Perhaps I should be thinking more ethereal - Richard Bach, the author of my favourite book Jonathan Livingston Seagull, helped me to think beyond the now into what I might be capable of in the future. Not within the bounds of the potential heroes above, but beyond what we think might be possible. I took the positivity from JLS, recommended by my Dad and something I've since discovered enlightens people of all ages, and I read more. I read many more that Richard Bach has to offer - A Bridge Across Forever, A Gift of Wings, Illusions: Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, and more. It turns out they're interesting, but none grabbed me in quite the same way. Perhaps they kindled an unnecessary desire to learn to fly, but none inspired me in the same way.

I'm sure there's far more people I could highlight. People with superhuman achievements, that have worked tirelessly to help others, to improve medicine, science, technology, society... There are I'm sure hundreds to choose from.

And then it strikes me. As I'm lying here, wondering about who my hero really is the answer is obvious. My hero is a chameleon of abilities. They are like a human Swiss Army Knife. My hero is my wife, Diana. You see she's beautiful. Not in "She's my wife I have to say that" way, but in a matter fact "Batted out of your league there Jason" kind of way. She's wonderful, loving, caring and she makes me laugh. She's out having fun one minute and being the perfect mother the next. She's the home loving superhero one minute and exercise addict the next. She's long suffering wife of a cyclist one minute  followed by biggest supporter the next.

I hate to say this, but she is also almost always right. It's really annoying, but true. And to top it all she is enormously clever, having just proved that by putting the most enormous amount of work of her well earned degree. (A skill which I'm sure she will use to critique my writing in this post, factually and annoyingly!)

I love my wife, I think she's great. She will definitely tell me that this is soppy, unnecessary and a little embarrassing, but whatever happens she will still be my amazing best friend, supporter and all round brilliant person.

PS She's rubbish with the Mac though, that has to be her only fault!