Heroes Come In All Sizes

"History is not the story of heroes entirely. It is often the story of cruelty and injustice and shortsightedness. There are monsters, there is evil, there is betrayal. That's why people should read Shakespeare and Dickens as well as history ~~ they will find the best, the worst, the height of noble attainment and the depths of depravity." ---David McCullough

During the Superbowl a blue band appeared at the bottom of the screen. A message scrolled across the screen. Josh Powell dies in house explosion; authorities confirm two children were carried out of the debris. A silence filled the room and everyone just rather stared blankly at the screen. I do not think anyone in the room needed any type of confirmation, we all knew in our hearts and minds that he had killed himself and his boys.

"Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them." ---Richard Evans

Later that evening as I lie next to my seven-year-old son, rubbing his back as he fall asleep, I wondered how a father could commit such an act. Ages five and seven and looking to the future. One story says that the boys jumped from the social workers vehicle and ran to the house in excitement to spend time with their father. Unbeknownst to them, the end of their mortal lives awaits them inside.

Details are now coming out that it was a premeditated murder. Their father took their toys to a donation center earlier in the week. He thought and planned the murder of his beautiful two young boys. Where does this type of evil come from and how does it enter the mind. Where does courage and honor disappear to when the mind is lost to despair and regret? How does a father come to the point that his young sons would be better off dead, instead of desiring to defend and protect them with his own life?

Heroes come in all sizes, on this day, at this time; those heroes are 5-year-old Braden Powell and 7-year-old Charlie Powell. While they will never know the thrill of playing in a baseball game or catching a football like the game their story broke, they will forever be reunited with their Mother. Braden and Charlie with your great and involuntary sacrifice we all hug our children a little tighter today. Heroes inspire people to live, love and laugh more. The world weeps and loves children a great deal more today.

"You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear. Do it! Develop an appreciation for the present moment. Seize every second of your life and savor it. Value your present moments. Using them up in any self-defeating ways means you've lost them forever." ---Wayne Dyer

"It broke my heart. I live my life by the value system that you treat others the way you want to be treated. I let love be my guide. I absolutely hate no one." ---Mandisa Hundley

Braden and Charlie Powell