My Heroes

Seeing people change throughout the years has made me very thankful but also a bit sad in regards to how some people have overcome obstacles to remain good people, but many do not.

I remember when I was young.
So much laughter and energy abounded.
Many of my childhood friends where heroes of mine.
But the tide of life changes many lives.

I remember racing in my Big Wheel or Huffy bike.
How pure and innocent the times were then.
But many heroes have been stalled and defeated.
And less than a handful have barely risen above the tide.

I still want to be one of those heroes.
To be pure and innocent of heart and mind.
But life isn't always that kind to heroes.
And it hurts to see their demise.

But I have those memories of friends who as boys had integrity greater then most men today.
Yet I am thankful to have the few heroes I have now.
Haggard and a bit weatherworn,
But their faces still emanate that pure light of heart and mind behind the wrinkles and their pains.

What pushes someone to make the choices that quench the light within?
One decision, one action, that eventually leads to muted light.
Debt, unplanned pregnancy, addiction, ignorance, crime.
How I wish my heroes were more enlightened then.

Then perhaps we could all laugh and play,
Like the days when we were childhood friends.
I really miss those heroes from yesterdays.
How I wish I could exist as one of them today.