"We Need a Super Hero! (and I know where to find one…)

I asked a couple of my grandsons who’s their favorite super hero and why? These are the ones they picked: the Green Lantern, Superman, and Batman.

Green Lantern was chosen because he has a ring that gives him super powers he can use to shoot lasers and shields. He is a member of a special group of protectors chosen by a group of all- knowing bodies somewhere far out in the universe that keeps the Green Lanterns on the up and up (so they don’t abuse their power) and assigns each a planet to take care of. Like Superman, he flies.

Superman was favored for his super strength. He always saves the innocent before taking on the bad guys. He uses his super hearing to hear their calls. He puts the people that need him first. No one has to shine a light in the sky to let him know his help is needed like the light they shine to call on the Batman.

Batman was picked because he has no super powers. Instead he is into using advanced technology, and he’s really good at combat. He’s really just a regular guy (other than being a billionaire). He likes the darkness and stays out of the limelight. His mission is to keep Gotham City safe, and unlike Superman and Green Lantern he gets his power from his own smarts not from outer space.

Now I’m thinking since Hurricane Sandy walloped the northeast we could really use those guys. But in truth many of the powers they possess can be found in the super heroes that are already there making a difference. There was a group of, maybe not all-knowing but definitely future planning, beings assigned to take care of our planet (FEMA and the American Red Cross) mobilizing in advance as Mother Nature’s threat to our countrymen came to fruition.

First responders have gone to work like a well-oiled machine heeding the calls of people that for whatever reason refused to evacuate and now need rescuing, going door to door in areas hardest hit. I haven’t read about any gas gouging. Providers are not abusing their power (and everyone else’s need) to make a profit. Free gas is being distributed.

The lights, (not the Bat Light) are coming back on. Slowly but surely power is being restored and people are sharing and helping each other charge their cell phones, as one small example, so they can let loved ones know they are surviving. These are regular guys (and neighbors) that are not interested in the limelight; just pulling together to help others who have lost everything get through the disaster. I am sure there are also planners working with today’s technology to make improvements to our decimated infrastructure so our cities can rise from the flood waters and ashes stronger than ever as everyone knows they will.

Let’s keep Gotham City and all the surrounding areas hard hit by this disaster in our prayers so friends and families there stay safe and until they get back on their feet. (Include a prayer of thanks for the super heroes already there and their tireless devotion.) Dig deep into your own heart (and pocket) to find your own power to help and you can be a super hero too.