For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to be a Superhero. I grew up watching Batman and Spiderman on TV watching with bated breath as they fought villains and saved the day. I would read and reread Superhero books and comics until I could recite them by heart, I would pretend to be Peter Parker, struggling to fit in school, find friends and get the girl, but more than that I was also Spider-Man, the courageous hero who was willing to sacrifice everything for others. I would often daydream about what it would be like, to have people cheer when they saw me, to help those in need, to be able to save the day. In those fantasies, I became who I was always destined to be… A Superhero.

As I grew up I realized that I was never going to be a Superhero, they simply didn’t exist, but what I could do is take all the lessons that I learned from them, and apply it to my life. I would care more about others than I did myself, I would always sacrifice so others had an easier time, I would always work to help those in need. I might not be able to be Super, but I could be a Hero to others, and that was enough. Or at least, I thought it was. For you see, sometimes if you are really lucky, Fate will step in and put you where you were always meant to be.

One day I happened to see a post on Facebook about a young boy who was dying, this young boy loved Superheroes and his family and friends were reaching out to see if there were people who would dress up and come visit. In that moment, I knew what I needed to do, so I went to my closet and got out a Halloween costume from a few years back, and I messaged the family that the Mighty Thor would answer their call. I went to his house the next day, along with dozens of other heroes who had heard the call and responded. I was changed forever that day. I gave him a few minutes of excitement; he gave me something far greater. He gave me a new purpose.

I became who I was always meant to be… A Superhero.

I now spend my days working at a hospital, giving psychological counseling and aid to those that need it most, in the day I am mild mannered Troy, but at night, when the call goes out for those in need, I put on the cape and grab Mjolnir and become The Mighty Thor. I visit children in hospitals, I visit families when they are at their lowest, I will give smiles to faces that have seen more tears than they deserve, I will let them forget the past, and not worry about the future, for a few minutes I will give them peace. It is all I can do, and it is enough, because it is everything I have to give.

Just like a Superhero…