We think of unsung heroes as those whose heroic actions go unnoticed and unappreciated. They are not celebrated as they probably deserve to be. One of the goals of this blog entry, now in it's sixteenth year is to sing the praises of those who would otherwise go unsung. But this year, unsung takes on a different flavor, as several of the heroes on this list I can only praise obliquely. It might be to protect the privacy of the hero or the privacy of others. You might say their songs of appreciation are sung softly. And this is often the case, I think. Like Seal Team 6 commandos on a top secret mission, some acts of heroism can never be made public. But those heroes are no less deserving of our appreciation. And so, while most of you will notice nothing lacking in these tributes some will be able to read between the lines and hear what goes unsaid. They will know that I see them and I am deeply grateful for them. If you know, you know.
The six women and five men on this year's list include two people who will not be able to read their own tributes. These posthumous acknowledgements were once a rarity. Now they are becoming common practice, as time and chance take their toll. The heroes of 2022 are long-time friends, family I've just gotten to know in the past few years, a beloved church member, gifted professionals whose inspirational acts come with job, and a quartet of really special current and former students. Among that last group, is one person who joins his mother as one of only two people (so far) who have been honored three times on this annual list. I have a feeling it won't be the last!
Here the are, the people who have inspired me most in 2022:
Rachel C
Winston Baldwin
Rolando Balverde
Luette Cowell
Molly
Kai Maycock
Leslie Drapiza
Larry Howell & DeeAnne Lau
Rachelle James Mason & Oscar "Yahir" Martinez
Rachel C
I'm inspired by her willingness to help
If a true friend is defined by one's willingness to drop everything and drive four hours round trip to go get someone stranded at the airport due to a family emergency, than Rachel is true blue. That's what Rachel did for me in the summer of 2021 and I'll be forever grateful. When I put out the word that I was stuck in Cincinnati, Rachel was on it without hesitation. She made it seem like no big deal. Not only that but Rachel provided our family with some great ideas and resources at a time when we needed them. She not only drove all those miles, she went the extra mile too. We've known Rachel since she was a student missionary in Saipan 18 years ago. We used to be neighbors here in Ohio, and her son is friends with our boys. Even though these days we don't get to see Rachel as often as we might like, I know that when the chips are down, Rachel will show up with a smile, ready to lend a hand.
Winston Baldwin
I'm inspired by the sermons he lived
Once I approached Pastor Baldwin after church to ask him some questions about the sermon he'd just preached. I wasn't sure I agreed with his key point and wanted clarification. We had a nice discussion, a little theological back-and-forth that I think we both enjoyed. He wasn't defensive or angry; he was sincere and thoughtful and though I can't remember whether I came around to his point of view, I know I came away blessed.
Pastor Baldwin was a blessing in our family's life for 18 years--his entire tenure at the Centerville SDA Church up to his unexpected passing early this year. My mother-in-law worked for him as the church secretary for sixteen of those years and during that time he was always kind and considerate of her needs. He was there for the Leen family when Dad passed away in 2014, and he would often come to visit Mom in the hospital after some her surgeries in recent years. Indeed the last time Barbara saw Pastor Baldwin was at her mother's bedside Of course comforting the bereaved and visiting the sick come with the job title, but with Pastor Baldwin it never felt like he was just doing his duty. We felt his genuine care and compassion. I still miss his sonorous, earnest voice from the pulpit, but I miss his presence in our lives even more. Pastor Baldwins legacy is to inspire me to preach the we he did--by the way I live my life.
Rolando Balverde
I'm inspired by his will to improve
Rolando is not "lucky". But an uninformed observer might have thought otherwise, as they watched him crossing the stage at his 8th grade graduation, graduating with honors and receiving all kinds of awards and accolades. "Some kids want to learn, other's don't," they might conclude. And they would be wrong. All kids want to learn--it's just sometimes they don't realize it for awhile. Rolando didn't realize it for awhile. When he first arrived in my classroom, it was a rare thing for him to complete and turn in assignment. Many times he didn't even bother coming to class at all. I often despaired over whether we'd ever be able to get Rolando motivated. But somewhere along the way, Rolando decided he wanted to make a change. He didn't "get lucky"--he made his own luck. He tapped into the tremendous power of his own will. He began turning in his assignments, his grades began to tick up. He back to show previously unnoted academic talents, especially in math. By the final quarter of his eighth grade year he was on the principal's list. Amazing! I was the lucky one--Lucky enough to bear witness to Rolando's quiet maturity, his determination to improve, his dignified bearing, and most of all his willpower. In all my years of teaching I've never seen a turnaround as complete as the Rolando pulled off.
Luette Cowell
I'm inspired by her sharing
A gift from a loving heart ends up being shared far beyond the original recipient. Such is the case with Luette Cowell. I didn't know Luette well; I knew her daugher Emily a little better. But I didn't have to receive a delicious plate of cookies or another tasty treat from Luette's kitchen to feel the warmth and light she shared with everyone around her. When I learned of her passing, I was stunned. It didn't seem possible that such a bright light could go out; death couldn't--shouldn't--happen to people like Luette. But though she is gone, her love lives on. At her memorial, I was inspired by the generous life she lived--how she shared what she created in her kitchen with easy and joyful grace. I thought to myself, I can do that. I can live like Luette did. She has shown me that even the simple act of making something special and sharing it with someone else can make a world of difference. I'm planning to whip up a peach cobbler tomorrow to drop off for someone. You could say that dessert will have come from Luette Cowell.
Molly
I'm inspired by her faith in us
"I didn't do much, it's you that did the work," That's what Molly would often say when we expressed our appreciation for her help. Through the better part of a year, Molly helped us navigate some considerable challenges as our family therapist. In all that time, Molly held an unshakeable faith in our family to grow, change, and better relate to one another. That was her job of course, but she did it so well. Molly was not some sort of Dr. Phil dispensing instructions and advice from on high. She was a big believer in tapping into the strengths we already had--not so much empowering us, but helping us uncover the power that was already there. Our time with Molly is concluded, and that's a good thing! But I'll always remember how Molly believed in us when it was hard for us to believe in ourselves. And when we hit bumps in the road, as is sure to happen in life, I hope to tap into that faith once again.
Kai Maycock
I'm inspired by his friendship
Friendship is magic. That was the theme of My Little Pony, Kai's favorite cartoon, when he was younger. He was captivated by the stories of six friends, each with their own unique characteristics, but bound together by their love and care for one another. Lately, Kai's been binging another TV series featuring six pals who are there for each other even when the rain starts to pour. You guessed it: Friends. But friendship means more to Kai than just a fun TV fantasy. You might say that Kai is a student of friendship. He lives out the principles of friendship in his daily life. More than most kids his age, Kai understands that people matter, and that relationships are worth investing in. For Kai it's not just about having good friends, it's about being a good friend. With our busy lives, it's easy to take people for granted, but as I've watched Kai's intentional efforts to value his friendships, I'm inspired to do the same with mine.
Leslie Drapiza
I'm inspired by her advocacy
She's gone where many have never set foot, from mountain heights to ocean depths. Leslie is an adventurer, but it's not her amazing exploits that inspire me, it's why she does them. "Because it's there," is not the only reason Leslie climbs. Dr. Leslie Drapiza, through her participation in and advocacy of Women of Color Who Summit Climb for Clean Air, raised thousands of dollars for the American Lung Association and also served as inspiration for women and girls of color who might not have ever thought that climbing was for them. She's letting them know that they are powerful, that they matter, that they can overcome. I've never hiked with Leslie, but I can picture her reaching out to help a fellow climber on the way, providing a word of encouragement and hope, and making it possible not just for herself but for her teammates--on and off the mountain-to succeed.
Larry Howell & DeeAnne Lau
I'm inspired by their gentle spirit
They exude kindness, warmth, peace. Just being around Larry & Dee, you can feel yourself relax, soothed by their gentle spirit. What's remarkable is you can feel it even through a computer screen. I've actually never met my cousin DeeAnne and her husband Larry in person. I knew her parents, my great aunt Yvonne (my grandmother's younger sister) and Uncle Ben but the times we visited, Dee was elsewhere. I got to know Dee and Larry at the start of the pandemic when they started attending our family Zoom church each Sabbath. Larry and Dee have been such a blessing to me. They've exhibited a thoughtful compassion and open-heartedness that I've found inspiring. Whether through an earnest prayer or a timely text message, or even a thoughtful gift in the mail, their caring so sincere, their gentleness so authentic, you can't help but be encouraged.
Rachelle James Mason & Oscar "Yahir" Martinez
I'm inspired by their achievements
Watching them soar is a joy. Rachelle and Oscar (or Yahir as I will always know him) are representative of so many of my students who are now adults making their way in the world and making their mark. I am so proud of them. Yahir is a successful real estate agent. Every time I see his Facebook updates announcing another property sold or see the professional accolades he's received, it makes me so happy. There's nothing better than seeing your "kids" out there living their dreams and making a difference. With Rachelle, I've had the unique privilege of having her as my supervisor! Her deft leadership of the media team at the Ephesus church amazes me. Rachelle is capable, firm when she has to be, but always generous and respectful. I appreciate her willingness to advocate for what our team needs to do our job well, and her determination to see us bring our best to every worship service. It was a privilege to teach Rachelle and Yahir, it's an honor to see them fly.
