My Hero, My Aunt

I went quickly, today, to see my Aunt Brenda before she died. I didn't really know her, but I was saddened that she was quickly dying. She was dying of cancer and I wanted to be at her side to tell her that I loved her.......and to be there for her, as well as my grandmother, mom and cousin.

My memories of my Aunt Brenda are few and cloudy, sparce. I remembered things from when I was a child......and she was wild. The story I love to tell is when she told my grandpa that my cousin Don, and I, were pulling bullets apart with plyers so we could make bombs......it didn't work too well and she told on us. What I came to realize is that the lady I had known had become a modern day hero in a world of selfish individuals. I don't know the whole story but I will try to put it together the best that I can.

She had been an abused spouse in her life and started a women's shelter in the mid 90s, this much I knew. What I didn't know is that she had moved on from this to being a servant to her community from that time forward. some quotes from the Hood River News:

Herman organized the assembly of care packages for the troops at two markets during 2007. At that time, she was already sending boxes on her own to military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. She referred to these men and women as her “adopted children.”

In 2008, Herman co-founded the Heroes Club to expand her outreach to the troops. The mission of the group sponsored by Elks Lodge 1507 in Hood River and Lodge 1868 in White Salmon was to support individuals serving in the armed forces from the Mid-Columbia area.

For her efforts on behalf of the troops, Herman was named Elk of the Year for 2008 by the White Salmon lodge.

“I’ve only known Brenda a short time but, in that time, I have found her to have a heart of gold,” said VandenBos.

Jean Hadley, of Parkdale, met Herman while she was volunteering as a Master Gardener at the Hood River market. In addition to serving as board president, Herman made and sold Misty Mountain soaps and lotions.
Hadley said Herman immediately offered help after learning that she served on the survivor walk committee of Relay for Life.
“I had asked her if she would sell me some of her small soaps to be a small gift for the survivors. What Brenda did was make enough soaps to hand every survivor one for the next three years and she would not take a penny,” said Hadley.

“She does what she does for all the right reasons, for whoever needs it. What an inspirational person; her energy has been contagious.”
In 1995, Herman was named Citizen of the Year in White Salmon, where she makes her home. The recognition followed her work to open “Hope’s Place,” a shelter for abused women and children.
One of her personal triumphs was a climb to the summit of Mount Hood in the late 1980s.
“She is a very passionate woman who loves life,” said Mason.
“The things that she could change, she has done to make this world a better place for us all.”

I was further amazed to hear that she was writing thank you notes to hospital staff and loved ones until she was unable to do so any longer.

Sometimes, we are so busy looking for a hero that we miss the hero in our midst. It took too long for me, Aunt Brenda, to notice. Thank you for your selflessness. Truly, you are my hero.