My Grandmother, the Hero

Most people have heroes in their lives, heck I even remember there being a category on MySpace that let you describe who you consider a hero. (Remember MySpace? It’s that social networking site that was created before Facebook.)

I have several heroes in my life. My dad is my hero because he works extremely hard to provide for his family and even when he comes home exhausted, he still makes time to do things with us and is always there to give me advice and guidance. My mom is also my hero because she too works hard and she is the most compassionate person I have ever met. She is incredibly nice to everyone and takes time to listen and never judges.  She is not only my mom, but one of my best friends and closest confidants.

Then there’s my grandmother, Loretta Wayne, whose act of pure selflessness, one night fifteen years ago saved everyone in her apartment building from a fatal fire. On October 22, 1995 my grandmother’s apartment caught on fire because of a space heater that was accidentally left on overnight. Instead of calling 911 and waiting for help to arrive, which would have put many lives in jeopardy, she took immediate action. 

There were 10 to 12 units in my grandmother’s apartment complex, divided among three floors. At 75-years old, without even having her glasses on, she was able to go up all three flights of stairs, knock on every door and alert all of her neighbors that there was a fire in their complex.

Because my grandmother was literally walking through fire, she acquired many first degree burns throughout her body. I can’t even imagine the pain that she was going through at that time. When I burn myself on a simple cookie sheet, that small burn is so intense that I can’t fathom having burns 100 times worse. 

Because of the severity of her burns, nineteen days later on November 10, my grandmother passed away. Loretta Wayne died a true hero in many people’s eyes, including all of the families that she was able to help leave the building without serious injury. She was even awarded Westland Michigan Woman of the Year and my family attended a banquet in her honor.

I am extremely proud to be related to such an incredible woman. My grandmother could be considered by society's standards as somewhat of an ordinary woman throughout her life; she took care of her family and enjoyed going to church, but when she had the opportunity to save her life or save many lives, she took the heroic route. I hope that if I am ever faced with a difficult challenge, whatever it may be, I can also make the noble choice.

A British Prime Minister once said “the legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” My grandmother did provide a great example through her heroic act. It showed me that we are all capable of doing great, extraordinary things. I might never have to rescue my entire apartment complex from a fire, but if I am faced with a difficult choice, I will be able remember the heroic actions of my grandmother and make the right decision. Through my grandmother's selfless act, I have learned that the human race is so very much capable of doing extraordinary things.