The Neighbor and The Classmate

For the last few weeks, Christian, and every other 8th grader at Wayland Union Middle School, have been working on hero projects.

They had to brain storm who their hero is and reasons why they are heroic.  They had to write an essay about the person and make a poster board with items about their hero such as pictures.

As a mom who is also a Staff Sergeant in the US Army who is married to an Army veteran, I knew choosing one of us would be difficult for him to do.  I mean truly, what kid wouldn't love being able to brag that both parents have fought for our country?!  On top of that, we both volunteer with his Boy Scout troop and take him to do some pretty cool things like shooting guns.

Ok... maybe I'm being a little big headed here, but I digress :)

So it was no surprise to me when Christian picked a third party for his hero.  What I didn't expect, however, is who he picked.

Joseph Palmer

Mr. Joe, as he was called by everyone in our Dorr neighborhood, moved from the neighborhood and closer to his family shortly after his wife passed away.

Christian must have been 8 or 9 at that time- young enough to be a true kid and yet old enough to remember valuable life lessons taught to him by a generous elderly neighbor.

As much as I love to write, I'm gonna let you read what Christian wrote:

"The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy it's all that matters." Audrey Hepburn

Remember when you were a little kid and you were at the store or doctor's office and there were cups of suckers?  Well, I have one more place to add to the list.  It was Joseph Palmers house. To me, a hero is someone who gives freely without expecting anything in return.  Someone who always sticks with people, and just keeps on keepin' on.  My hero is my neighbor from my old neighborhood, Joseph Palmer, the go-to guy to get suckers.

                I was too young to remember very much, but one thing that I do remember is that he never expected anything from anybody.  He was almost always there, giving out suckers to little kids. I can't exactly remember how I met him, but I think it was one of those times way back when kids were way to nervous to ask if they could have things from people they didn't know.  He was usually on his porch, waiting, just in case a little kid wanted a sucker.

                Another thing that I remember is the small things are still important.  He never complained, no matter what, like bills and other payment issues.  I remember he was always helpful if needed.  He even had a smile, even after his wife died.  Mr. Palmer is proof that no matter the age, can always give to others, like charities and homeless people, even your neighbors.

                About six month after he moved, our house was called the popsicle house because we were always passing them out.  He inspired me to give things without expecting anything in return.  Joseph Palmer is my hero because he has taught me to share many things.  Not matter what, it is always a good thing to help and give to other people, no matter how different.  I don't know who else Mr. Palmer has inspired as well, but I know he has inspired me.

                He has inspired me to join boy scouts and they have helped me to increased my life skills and how to help me help and give to other people.  For example, once every year, we go out and collect canned goods and boxes of non-perishables for food pantry.  Last weekend, I went out and helped build a roof.  These are some reasons of how Mr. Palmer has helped me in life.

I wish I could tell you how Mr. Joe is now doing or if he is walking among us here on Earth or dancing in Heaven with his beautiful bride, but I can't.  Once he moved away, even with his face book page I'm sure his kids set up for him, we never heard from him.

Mr. Joe, if you are still out there... know that your life has positively affected my son's, and for that, I cannot thank you enough.  You have taught him how easy it can be to be a cheerful giver, a trait that so many of our youth lack.  So thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my son's hero.

Tonight, a fellow Deltonian I graduated High School with lost his earthly life.  Josh left behind a beautiful daughter who will no longer be able to hug her daddy good night and wish him sweet dreams or whisper "I love you" to.  She knew her daddy was sick and that he was fighting so hard for his life.  And from everything that I have read on his face book page, he knew how much his daughter loved and cherished him just as he did her.  I imagine that if she were writing about a hero in her life, it would be her daddy.

Josh, even though we haven't seen each other in so many years, know that you will be sorely missed by more people than you could have ever imagined.

As for me, I will try to tell people I love them more often and let them know how they have positively impacted my life because life really does simply fly by without ever really knowing it unless we make it count.