by Sheri Block
the Carillon

A shadow draws darkness upon the province of Saskatchewan as family, friends and fans come to terms with the death of Sandra Schmirler. It is not often that a whole community, a whole province, a whole country and the whole world mourns the loss of one person.

Many of these people never met the Olympic champion but still feel like they have lost a friend.

For those like myself, who did not have the honour of knowing her, she was a friend whose bright smile transcended the pictures and television broadcasts into our lives and hearts.

When Sandra won, we cheered, when Sandra lost, we cried, and when she passed away last Thursday morning, we grieved.

Hundreds gathered together at the memorial service and hundreds more gathered both at Sandra's home rink and the Agridome to watch the service, hoping to find solace and strength in others.

As people brushed tears from their eyes they also smiled as they heard accomplishments, stories and anecdotes told by those close to Sandra. The service was a celebration of life for Canada's hero.

Sandra was truly a hero for our country. But what constitutes a hero exactly? Does one have to have superpowers to gain this status? Does one have to save people from train wrecks as they swoop down from the sky, red cape trailing behind?

The problem with the term hero is that it places the person on a pedestal, in another domain that is unattainable. But this is not true for most of the people we think of as heros.

Mother Theresa is a hero. So are Princess Diana and Elvis Stojko. But these people would definitley not think of themselves as set apart from others. They all inadvertenly did something special for the world and have become role models.

Some see Wayne Gretzky as a hero because he has excelled in hockey. Sandra Schmirler also attained great success in her sport. Schmirler and her team achieved more things in curling than anyone before them and probably anyone to come in the future.

But this is not why she is a hero. Sandra is a hero because she is real and down to earth. She knew that raising her two daughters was why life was important. Her concern was always for others before herself.

This is what a hero is. Someone who goes out of their way to help others. If we look around, we can see other real heros too.

The person who goes to Mozambique and helps the victims of the flood is a hero. The person who volunteers at the local soup kitchen is a hero. The person on the bus that gives up their seat so an elderly person can sit down is a hero.

We look up to heroes because they bring a little bit of light into our lives. They inspire us and give us hope.

Sandra Schmirler did this in her life and will continue to in our memories.