Oprah had a show this week of several people who have provided services and help to people that are in need during these hard times. She named the show every day heroes One woman was crying at an auction of her house and Marilyn Mock went up to her and asked her why she was crying. Normally, the homeowner who is in foreclosure doesn’t go to these auctions. Usually it is the investors who buy the homes from the bank. When Marilyn found out why this woman was in despair, she went and bid for the house and later gave the title of the house back to the woman that was crying. Now they are friends.
Since then, Marilyn has created a foundation called Foreclosure Angel Foundation. The amazing thing about the story is that Marilyn did not go to the auction to invest. She went to accompany her son and watch. I think some big angel was watching over her instead and Marilyn did this beautiful act of kindness. In life you never know what happens and how angels, invisible ones and real human angels happen to show up when you least expect it. It has happened to me many times and these are the moments that I will never forget. They make my life so much richer. I hope one day when I get back on my feet, I can do the same for others.
In an essay in the Wall Street Journal yesterday, Joe Queenan focuses on the human foibles of the people we consider heroes. This past month Alex Rodriguez and Michael Phelps had transgressions that surprised us. One of the things that Joe Queenan says so poignantly is that ” these men may have done a great public service….and if you want to send a message to your kids, send it yourself. Don’t expect celebrities to be role models.