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Chernobyl

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Chanterais:
You know, Chernobyl, like, sucked.

I just read the most heartbreaking story in the Daily Telegraph about a woman whose husband worked in the plant.  They were both woken up by the explosion, and he knew immediately what must have happened.  He pulled on his clothes, and ran out of the house, telling his wife to leave and get as far away as she possibly could.  She did.  Her husband, who knew the risks, went down to the plant, and managed to save the other reactors from blowing. 

The woman managed to find him again in a hospital outside of Moscow, and she said he just melted away.  Literally, he was so radiated that he fell apart.  A month after he died, her baby was born.  It suffered from horrible birth defects, and died a few days later.

Poor woman.  It's just so awful.

What is additionally disconcerting is that, because I was living in the U.K. when it happened, I've been bombarded with radioactivity blown over fron the Ukraine.  Anyone who lived in Europe was.  Freaky.

Sorry to be so depressing.  Just had to get it out of my system.  I'm up by myself at my aunt's cottage on Lake Huron, studying (or not) for my exams.  The water is so blue, and the sun is shining, making the lake sparkle, and the birds are chirping away.  It's hard to believe that anything so horrible could happen.  I think I'll go outside and relish the evening.  Life is short.

dmmb_Mandy:
Wow... I don't even know what to say...

David:
Yeah, I saw a similar show like that on TV a few years ago.   They mentioned how the local fire department knew that they had to go in and try to put the fires out and that it would be a one way trip to the plant.    Now those are real heroes.  Very touching indeed.

delalluvia:
Where do people find the bravery?  To fight a radioactive fire, to toss cement on the smoldering remains, to film the entire event knowing it's a one way trip?!?!?!?   :o :o :o

I'm sorry to say that I probably would not be able to find such selflessness inside me.

I salute those brave souls who gave up everything to try to protect the rest of us.

vkm91941:
“I need a hero...
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night. He's gotta be tough and he's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be larger than life”

The lyrics are paraphrased and not my own, but the sentiment is mine.

What is a hero? According to the dictionary there's the hero of mythology - a sort of divine character favored by the gods. Then there is the person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose who are often found risking their lives like soldiers. There are also heroes in a particular field, noted for their achievements whether in medicine, academia or sport. There are all sorts of heroes. ::)

But what about the ordinary person….Not the Superman or Spiderman variety, but real heroes. People who have made contributions that stand out.  Like those countless, nameless and selfless individuals who made those one way trips into hell to save the rest of us.  :'(

There is, however, one more definition of hero in the dictionary. A hero is the principal character in a novel or poem.

If that is the case, we are all the heroes of our stories. In a day, where heroes are often on the movie screens and classical heroes are quite fleeting inspiring only temporarily, it may be a good idea to look around - at a casual encounter, an innocent exchange, at the world immediately around us or even in the mirror - to find the fuel for the heroes of today. :)

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