Our partners are everyday heroes
What is heroism? Perhaps it is easily associated with feats and great names in history. We easily wrap a hero's cloak around people who have sailed stormy seas and fought battalions. A football star who scores 90 goals a calendar year must be a hero, a top politician who speaks in human crap gets our unconditional support.
But perhaps the real heroism lies elsewhere. Somewhere where spotlights and journalists rarely hit. As we follow the activities of our partners here at 24 Center, we think we've found them. Real heroes.
Locksmiths, plumbers, electricians and other blue-collar workers don't bask in the headlines or shake hands with royalty. They drive their vans in the morning rush hour and crawl into places people rarely go. They don't get screen time in the A-studio or their faces on the Forum wall, yet their existence is absolutely essential to us.
They are everyday heroes. They have complete sovereignty and airspace over everyday life. They know what a gravity ventilation system is or what the harm is from capillary water. They open doors that are locked, block water inlets that are destroying homes. They tighten screws I couldn't reach, they turn levers I didn't even know existed. When they leave, the lights come back on, the air conditioner is whirring and a new, flawless pane of glass has appeared in the window frame.
When I'm fine, I don't see them. Yet they've been here, before me. When I drove to work, I didn't know that they had been there some mornings to fix traffic lights and sand the pavement. When I ordered lunch, I didn't know they had fixed the electricity in the restaurant. When I took a coffee break and chose an ice cream from the freezer, it never occurred to me that they might have been here.
Who was the character who sneaked in at midnight to help my neighbour? Who cleaned up the filthy market square? Who fixed Virtanen's lawnmower? Who blocked the water damage at the train station?
Yes. They did it. Everyday heroes. Cap askew, overalls on, toolbox in the boot. Without a pack of reporters, a crowd of fans and a five-ton custom-made suit. Humble, professional and safe. They are true heroes, without whom my life would be chaos.
Here at 24 Center, we are grateful for everyday heroes. The work of our partners is essential to make our daily lives run smoothly. Without them, we would not survive. Keep your eyes open, because they are all around us every day. They are our everyday heroes.
