Spoiler alert: Sometimes super heroes die.
And it sucks.
Big time.
This past week...past few months...we have watched the super hero of my husband's family slowly loose his super powers. We tried many things to help him regain his powers, but after 89 years, the farmer's super strength, super will, and super heart gave out.
This whole year I have been giving you examples of super heroes on the big screen and what we can do to be more like them. Why wasn't I looking in my own family to share with you about the super hero I am related to? Many of you didn't know my father-in-law John; and while it may be selfish on my part, I am going to take the time to share with you some of his super powers in hope of inspiring you to look for these powers within yourself and within others.
Big John was strong, both physically and in his character. People told us stories of exactly how strong he was when he was younger. Nephews relayed stories of him having Popeye arms in his younger days. When I started dating John, Big John was in his 60's. His physical strength at that time was different than those younger days but his strength of character was as strong as ever. If he said he was going to do something...he did it. He followed through with tasks, sometimes even putting the task you had asked for yourself before the tasks he needed to complete for himself. His character was strong until the end.
Big John was selfless in his giving. Like those super heroes on the screen, he never questioned the intentions of someone who was crying for help. He dove in and helped. Whether it was time, money, a job, machinery, help in the fields, or even the shirt off his back, he gave when he saw others in need.
Big John was caring to all...human or animal. He loved animals. They say you can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat animals. He let strays in (both human and animal). He was able to convince a new momma that he wasn't going to harm her new calf. He was able to tame the wildest horse by continuing to jump on when he was bucked off. He didn't give up on the people or animals around him. He was always looking for the good in every animal and every person.
Big John was a man of actions and not words. He said very little. He let the way he treated people and followed through on tasks speak more about him than the words he said. When he did speak, his words were short and to the point. He didn't sugar coat things. If it was bad news...he said it. If it was good news, there often weren't any words, but rather a gentle smile.
My father-in-law need not get bitten by a radio active spider, come from another planet, be frozen and genetically altered, or even have a million dollars to buy the coolest gadgets to have some of the best super powers out there. Where did these super powers come from? I imagine from his parents. He must of had a great upbringing: One that taught him to work hard, be honest, have faith, and love fiercely (I say this because I see the same super powers in his sisters). I also imagine it was from how he saw the world and how the littlest things we do are often big things for others. Lastly, I imagine it was from having a conscience and he just knew that treating people with kindness was the right thing to do. Every one of these super powers costed him nothing to gain. There was no science experiment involved or journey to another planet. Each one of these are things we all can gain...these super powers lay within all of us. It is just a matter of awaking them to do good.
On Saturday, Jon Gordon tweeted the following phrase, "One's legacy is carried on by lives impacted and stories told. Give people great stories to tell about you." Think about the legacy of the super heroes we have talked about this year. There have been great stories written about them. Stories that people still share. Wouldn't it be great if we all could have stories that great told about us?
Within all of us lies the power to be good. To show good. To give good.
Awaken these super powers. You too, like the great farmer in my life, could then have great stories told about you.
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