A friend of Adam sent this to us:
Do You Know A Hero?
Not every Marine is a hero. During field training exercises at Parris Island, South Carolina, one drill instructor threw a pine cone among the recruits and yelled, “Grenade!” The trainees immediately turned away and hit the ground. “Just as I suspected,” chided the drill instructor. “Not a hero among you! Didn’t anyone want to jump on that grenade to save the others?”
A little later the instructor tossed another pine cone and yelled, “Grenade!” This time, all the recruits but one jumped on the “explosive.”
“Why are you still standing there?” the DI demanded.
“Sir,” the recruit replied, “someone had to live to tell about it.”
Not everyone is a hero. But then, not every hero jumps on grenades, pulls terrified children from burning buildings, or wears an impressive uniform.
Do you know a hero? I am not asking you to simply name a favorite celebrity. There is a difference.
Do you know a hero? I think perhaps you do. Heroes, you see, can be found in some of the most unexpected places. I knew a young mother who was slowly dying of cancer, yet she put aside her pain long enough every day to smile and laugh with her children. She tried hard every day to bring sunshine into the gloomy hospital room when her family was present. And I watched her husband fill the roles of single parent and financial provider, and still spend every remaining moment sitting at his mate’s bedside, valiantly encouraging and offering whatever hope he could muster.
I knew a talented teacher who could have worked at a far more lucrative profession, yet was determined to stay in a disadvantaged school in the hope that she could make a difference in a difficult situation. She did it for her students.
I’ve known other heroes, too.
You may have noticed – many of the world’s true heroes will never be confused with action figures. Most have never been to battle, competed athletically nor sung in a pop band. But they have faced nearly impossible challenges with unimaginable determination and courage. They found what it takes to bear the unbearable, forgive the unforgivable, love the unlovable, outlast the unendurable or defeat the undefeatable. And often they do it for the sake of others.
Do you know a hero? Maybe one lives in your home. And perhaps one even looks back at you from the mirror. For it is in everyday battles of the spirit that true wars are fought and won. And it is those real-life heroes who give the rest of us hope and remind us that anything is possible.
Do you know a hero? I think you do.
I know a hero…. I have a hero… His name is Adam.
I love you son… Keep up the good fight… Tomorrow will be a better day.
Adam Hawkes 
You are so right, Mike! We all know heroes that are not known among the famous, media, or by many. Your comments make the tears run freely as I think of the heroes in my life that have given and continue to give me strength when times are difficult and even when not difficult as I watch with awe the efforts it takes to do small and simple things that I take for granted. Thanks for your wisdom and caring words.
It’s been a long flight. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: “Fasten your seat belts.” Then, after a while, a calm voice said, “We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened.”
Later, the voice on the PA said, “We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us.” And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.
I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed unsure and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.
And then, I saw a boy to whom the storm meant nothing. He had tucked his feet beneath him as he sat on his seat and was reading a book. Everything within his small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes he closed his eyes, then he would read again; then he would straighten his legs, but worry and fear were not in his world. When the plane was being tossed by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous boy was completely composed and unafraid.”
When the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, I speak to the boy whom I had watched for such a long time.
I commented about the storm and I asked why he did not seem afraid. The sweet boy replied, “My Dad is the pilot, and he is taking me home.”
************************************************************************************************************************May your journey with your dad today be storm free. And if turbulence hit, may you find comfort that your dad will keep you safe as he plead to his Father in heaven to take care of his boy. God bless you on your journey to full recovery. May He continue to watch over you and your family. If doubt hits you and you start to think you can’t or it is getting too frustrating and you feel that stopping would feel much better than keep on trying…. May you hear the sound of clapping from those who are with you on this journey and your fathers’ hand extended reaching out cheering, Keep going son, keep going, we’re almost home…God Speed
Rex & Rossana Griffiths and Family