The Astronaut and the Congresswoman

Originally posted on Facebook and SuperheroStuff.com
by Blane Mather at 12:04pm on 1/20/2011
(expanded for Blog)

When I was growing up, there were two categories of heroes that I idolized - the superheroes from comics ... and astronauts, firemen, policemen and soldiers, but particularly astronauts.

Comic heroes were easy ... they had supernatural abilities and could do amazing things. Their adventures were adrenaline fueled fantasies for a kid who wished he had more power to control his own life.

But astronauts were REAL heroes ... they got to FLY into space, they CHALLENGED the unknown, they bravely and knowingly RISKED their lives, and they did all for the benefit of ALL OF MANKIND!

So I watched the press conference today with Mark Kelly, brave test pilot and heroic astronaut. He who was willing to risk his own life for our benefit was having to deal with the unimaginable ... a threat to the life and well-being of the one he loves most in this world. That was surely a risk he would never willingly undertake. And yet, here he was, handling the gravest and most traumatic event of his life with dignity, strength and grace. No superhero faced a greater challenge or dealt with it better.

When they write about astronauts being made of "The Right Stuff", they had no idea how well that description would apply to Mark Kelly. He absolutely has the right stuff to help Congresswoman Gabriell Giffords recover from that horrific attack in Tucson thirteen days ago.

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude that "Gabby" has a husband and champion like this to stand by her side as she begins the long road of rehabilitation ahead of her.

I still read comics from time to time. But there's no question about where I look for examples of real heroism these days.