Who’s Your Icon

These days, when people ask me who my icon is, they expect me to name a famous singer or TV host. They never expect me to mention someone I knew personally, someone I was close to.

You see, if someone were to ask me who my icon is, I wouldn’t name a celebrity or someone everyone knows.

I’d say it’s my grandad, Jack Anderson. He was one of eight children and never complained about anything.

Nothing ever truly disheartened him, not even when he discovered his unfortunate diagnosis of heart failure.

He continued to live his life as if nothing had happened, which is definitely my grandads well known attitude, considering most people would be devastated in such a situation.

My grandad passed away peacefully on February 28, 2022 though his death was very unexpected and so sudden. He was found in his bed, which is now my bed, in his room, which is now my room.

He was 83 years old. He never complained or told us how much pain he was in, he never spoke about his feelings. He did not want to cause us any distress.

We were aware that he had heart failure, but that was the extent of our knowledge until that fateful day. He diligently performed household tasks such as cooking and cleaning, ensuring that everything was immaculate.

That day, our world was shattered, and yet I found myself observing the cars passing by, contemplating how they could continue as if it were an ordinary day. To them, it was just another day.

My grandfather remained consistent in his beliefs and actions until the very end of his life. He never wavered from his principles. My grandad, Jack Anderson, is my role model. He is not a superhero, but he is my personal hero.

Not all heroes wear capes!