The Definition of A Hero

We used to feel so small, stretching our heads back to the fullest extent just to peer into a grown up’s eyes. Those eyes held wisdom, knew perfection, could jump all the way to the moon and back. They were our heroes. But as we grew older and wiser ourselves, our perspectives shifted, and we saw the faults of ones older than us. So though our young eyes were so easily able to distinguish a hero, who is to say now exactly what a hero is? Even the most unlikely of people can be considered a hero through one person’s eyes. So though no exact definition can be made, to me, a hero is someone who puts other people before him or herself. It is someone who is humble and never proud; someone who tries their best to never judge others, but helps them regardless of their deeds and words. A hero can be someone who overcame struggles and never lost hope; someone who encouraged others when he or she was losing hope him or herself. Someone who takes on a challenge with all that they have, even when they didn’t ask for the responsibility to be placed upon them. To me, a hero is not someone that feels the need to prove themselves to others, but someone that feels the need to prove to themselves what they can accomplish. My personal heroes are my family and friends that have battled or are battling cancer, those of which are by far the bravest people that I have ever met. Their drive and determination are admirable, and are qualities that I hope that I would have if faced with the same situation. In my opinion, one's perserverance and altruism is what truly makes someone a hero.