heroes.

awkwardly, the dictionary defines the hero as an individual who is distinguished by feats of great courage and skill and who possesses a heightened sense of morality.
it clearly misses out the part that says that heroes are usually individuals that are dead.

as Ira Hayes in "flags of our fathers" bluntly puts it, "i am not a hero. the real heroes are the ones that are dead on that island."

heroes.

men and women who gave their lives in service of others, for values that they held dear and to fight for beliefs that strongly believed in.

heroes.

something everyone needs. to follow. to emulate. to hope for.

heroes.

something marketable. something to sell. something to create. something to fabricate.

heroes.

buried today, forgotten tomorrow.

go do a search on this guy.
"muelmar magallanes" was his name. he saved over thirty people, including his family, in the flood in manila. after which he took a break on higher ground. but then he heard a cry for help from a mother, who had a baby girl. the baby girl was drifting away in a polystyrene box in the strong waters and so he decided to go back in one last time. he saved the both the girl and her mother.

but he didn't make it. according to reports, he was swept away by the strong waters because he was exhausted after saving so many people. he was 18. at 18, not many of us would have done what he did.

may his soul rest in peace and may God take him into His Kingdom.
and he was, and is, what i call a true hero.
i just wish that the world had more people like him, alive, well and around.

and for one last time,
the waves will dance for you.
for one last time,
you will the see the sky in shades of grey.

for you are in a better place now,
adorned with wings and halo.
high above us,
where the sky is forever blue.