In Honor of a Hero

I live next door to a hero. She's not heroic in size; rather she's tiny, not even five feet tall. She's not young; instead she's in her mid-sixties or even a bit older. She's not famous; I doubt more than a few score of people know of her existence. And, she's not wealthy. A widow, she lives on 10 acres of forested land in a little hand-built house that looks like it should be inhabited by elves, not humans.

But, on her own, Norma keeps up the 10 acres of woods around her house. The walking trails that she and her husband Dick built are clear; the wildlife, the wild flowers, the firs and the ferns are cared for. In a world that more and more seems to be dominated by greed, self-posturing and failure, Norma succeeds at what she does - on her own and with no complaints.

I am lucky enough to know her. - Pat