There is nothing easy about starting over as way too many people have found out in the recent years. After moving here, my dad’s friends kind of became mini-grandpas and dads to my son- mostly the men in the Lion’s Club of Kirkwood. We once again became active with the American Red Cross, doing basically anything we could do to keep ourselves from sitting at home so we couldn’t remember the pain. The one thing I taught my son through all of his physical problems was that there are so many other worse off. In a minute, a home can explode, a major fire can start, and a life can be taken. When a fire starts, we run out of buildings but firefighters run in. When we attempt to run away from a shooter, the police run after the person. Not everyone can do this; it takes a special person with a special heart. They are heroes; I see them and meet them all the time.
 

This September marks one year since former Kirkwood Mayor Mike Swoboda passed away. One of those heroes- he too, has been added to my list of September memories. I remember moving here after the hurricanes. “Lion Mike” made a point to call the house, and at first just asked for my dad, but I caught on: Mike would call and ask for my dad. After remembering my dad was working, Mike would tell me a joke then hang up. His calls went on for months before my dad asked if I knew he was the mayor, and I didn’t. After learning he was the mayor, I wondered what kind of odd people lived in this city (If you know me at all, yup, I blend right in!). The mayor had been calling our house, just to check in and see how we were doing.   
 

After losing everything we had and dealing with my son’s medical issues, Mike was my hero. He went out of his way to get a smile on my face. It was his mission when he saw me. He was my hero at a time when I needed one (even if it was in an extremely goofy way). Mike was extremely active in his community and I always think If Mike hadn’t been so active I may never have met him.

You don’t necessarily have to be a mayor to be a hero, like Mike. Anyone can be a hero by volunteering in your community, donating blood, and learning CPR. It is our responsibility to help our neighbors and our community. If we all gave up just one hour of television a week to help others, think of how much of a better place the world would be!