So far, I have managed to get two blog posts published in 2025, only eight more to get my expectations for 2025 covered: I am pretty sure I can get them all out before the end of the year! Looking forward to seeing where my writing paths will take me. It is always exciting to be able to fill in the blank pages with lots of different topics, with loads of creative ideas, with plenty of inspirational words. I thought that after such a fruitful 2024, both my inspiration and eagerness to write would need a rest, but the fact that I am working on my third blog has proven me wrong. I could dare to say that my creativity is on fire. Long may it last! It is a dull evening in this side of the world. Looking out through the window (which could do with some cleaning), the sky looks grey and lifeless, there is a sense of winter rather than spring, it feels like rain is on the way. On the other hand, the birds are singing and eating away from their nearly empty feeder, the daffodils are blooming offering a lovely range of whites and yellows, and one can now appreciate the stretch in the evenings. My usual cupán tae, the candle flickering away on the dining table, Smudge the cat cuddling next to me. She has appointed herself Chief Superintendent with duties on making sure I keep writing, if I try to leave the couch her paw reaches me as if she was imposing her authority: you are going nowhere until you are done. I should get down to business, otherwise I may get lost wondering how I could sneakily get up to get myself some dark chocolate without the Chief Superintendent noticing…
Sadness is embracing me, some sort of a veil of grief, a devastating feeling that something (and someone) is missing. The overcast sky is probably reflecting my current mood, as this blog post is a very special one to me, but at the same time, very touching and sad to be writing. The thing is that I was not planning, expecting, or thinking of including this blog post to my list for 2025 or not even in the coming years. The thing is that life has such unexpected turns that with the rage of a tsunami simply takes away what is important to us, the change of a shared future, those who we love. The fact is that we are so often left with no choice other than to keep living knowing that things have changed, that although memories will keep us going, that life will not be the same without our loved ones. Sadness is holding me close, some sort of a veil of heartbreak, a desolating feeling that someone (and something) is missing.
This blog post aims to be my own homage to those out there who are silent heroes, even though they might not be aware that what they do is actually heroic, even though they might not want to accept that they have become heroes, even though they might never know because they are no longer with us.
They carry on even on the toughest times, despite the hardships they have to endure, in spite of the lack of real super powers. They take on arduous endeavours so others can have a better life, they undertake the burden of keeping things to themselves so others do not have to worry, they embark on a scary journey to unknown lands so others can have an easy path. They accept their fate without hesitation, they bear with the inevitable without doubt, they abide by life unexpected unfair turns.
In spite of life being unjust to them, they do not sit down and complain, they elegantly keep going. In spite of not having any other choice, they choose to make the most of the situation, relishing every single moment of what is left. In spite of knowing there will not be a way out, they walk out with pride as if they were humbly honoured by the crowds.
They suffer in silence, not letting others help carry the worries. They feel obliged to disguise the truth so those around them can smile and laugh as if nothing was happening. They cry alone, not allowing themselves to have a shoulder to cry on. They feel obliged to fake it, so others do not feel like they have to be there all the time. “I am grand” becomes their best ally in order to keep others away.
My words probably do not do justice to what they have to endure, to what they take on, to what they put up with. However, by doing all of the above and more, they become silent heroes.
With great sorrow and desolation, I still can clearly remember when one of my besties told me that I was her hero for having moved to Ireland to make my dream come true. She was full of praise for my bravery, my strength, my determination. How would she think I could be a hero? I was just me, true to myself, following my dreams. Her words had vanished over the years, as they do; although they were kept silent and dormant somewhere in my mind until last December. My bestie sadly passed away, and those words came back as I was talking to her sister. I was sharing with her some anecdotes , unintentionally trying to comfort her (but probably intentionally me) when I found myself saying to her that her sister once told me that I was her hero. In that very moment, a wave of sadness embraced me as I realised that my bestie had become my silent hero.
After thirty seven years of unforgettable friendship, laughter, tears, adventures, great shared moments, nights out, travels, unconditional support, priceless pieces of advice, love and much more. This blog post is my humble homage to you, magni, my silent hero. Magnis forever!
Jay Cee Moon ©
Jaycee Moon 