My new hero

He literally gave the shirt off his back.

A couple of years ago, I wrote that my concept of heroism had shifted significantly over time. Gone are the days when I idolized Abraham Lincoln.

My heroes now look more like people without homes, people who used to be homeless, and people who have fought their entire lives to make life better for those who are often overlooked and ignored.

I have a new hero. My boss. Today I watched him give away one of his most frequently worn shirts to a young man headed to a court appearance, scared out of his mind. Outfitted in a dirty t-shirt, the young man was less than presentable for such an occasion. Grabbing his shirt from where he’d neatly hung it by his desk, my boss shook out its few wrinkles, said an audible “Goodbye, shirt!” and walked downstairs to give it to this young man.

This is not the first time I’ve seen him do such a thing. And it’s not the first time I’ve seen his passion. Two weeks ago we had one of the most inspiring conversations I’ve had in recent days as he regaled me with tales from more than 40 years of fighting for the rights of people experiencing homelessness. His health is failing, his personal life takes a constant backseat to his work, and vacation now looks like time on the couch rather than an out-of-state adventure, but he continues to fight. He fights with his words, with his presence, with his time, even with his clothes. He fights to provide opportunities, empowerment, and hope.

I want to be that "when I grow up."