We have known all along that heroes can come in many different forms.

Some wear uniforms and carry guns. Others may wear robes and sit on a high bench. You will see heroes or heroines daily managing two, three, or even more children all by themselves.

It is all in your view of how you measure the true worth of anyone. Too many of us when we are young focus all our hero-worship on athletes, musicians and such. That is OK if it is for the right reasons.

Oftentimes as we reach that age where we think we know everything (about 13 to 25) it becomes our teachers, professors and maybe an older sibling. Much good in those choices normally. And while Mommy and Daddy were heroes when we were very young, they often lose favor during that same cycle. It comes back for mothers of girls after the girls become mothers themselves it seems.

But today we are seeing heroism in many new ways. We were raised in an age where parents taught you to respect everyone but not necessarily idealize anyone. We learned that heroes were just as able to wear blue jeans and carry a hammer as wear scrubs and use a scalpel.

But with all due respect we didn’t spread that appreciation as evenly as we should. In this new world we are passing through, people are stepping up as never before or at least for the first time in this generation it seems to really be everyday heroes.

Do you realize the risks that some of the relatively obscure workers are taking for you?

Starting with the truckers that are still hauling produce and product all over the country. Are you still getting your mail; even the stuff that just gets thrown in the trash? How about the teenager who rings the cash register for you at the store when you decide a gallon of ice cream or a box of cookies is a necessity?

Those people, young and not-so-young, are taking a risk every time they do something to serve you.

While walking at Moraine this weekend and practicing the expected social distancing, it was quite bothersome to see people in groups of eight and 10 in each other’s faces. There still seems to be many of us who can’t believe we may be part of spreading this virus that has infected our lives.

Well, we never thought these days would come to this country. These things only happen in developing countries, right?

So, let’s be thankful for the laborers that are still on the job instead of just feeling sorry for ourselves that we can’t do all we wish we could.

Some extra please and thank you comments are due and would probably be appreciated.

Keep in mind that grocery stores can’t remain open without their workers. You can’t get your $1,200 checks from the government without bank workers or postal carriers. And those takeout meals? Yes someone in a kitchen somewhere is doing a heroic service for you. Let them know you are thankful.

— RV