"Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves -
regret for the past and fear of the future." ~ Fulton Oursler
I heard this song today, after not hearing it for some time. So... inspired by Pamela Clare's MTM Blog for the last 2 weeks, Men of the Military, and the upcoming ANZAC Day here in Australia on 25th April 2011, this song is dedicated to the warriors (and despite the gender in the song, both men and women) who have been scarred in service of others - both the physically scarred and the internally scarred ...especially the ones they try to keep hidden, whose stories we know not of. Thank you for your sacrifices.
NEVER TO KNOW by Lene Marlin
Did you know
Hidden by his clothes
There are some scars
Some are recent
Some have been there for years
Did you know
It doesn't even hurt
It never really hurts
But there are tears
Do you want the real story
Or do you prefer the lie
Do you want to see him smile
Or maybe see him cry
Do you want to follow
Or let him go alone
For then, never to know...never to know
Have you ever seen
The way he acts sometimes
And when you ask
He'll say he's okay
Laughs out loud
Laughs out loud
Before he looks away
Do you want the real story
Do you want to see him smile
Or maybe see him cry
Do you want to follow
Or let him go alone
For then, never to know...never to know
Most of my favourite fictional heroes, in fact, are the scarred and tortured ones. I connect with them and long to wrap my arms around them. So, this song is also dedicated to the scarred ones who have touched me the most in my reading...
* Zsadist, Vishous, Phury, Rhage and Butch from J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series;
* Julian Darcangelo, Marc Hunter, Gabe Rossiter and Zach McBride (MAY 3rd!!! ^_^) from Pamela Clare's I-Team series;
* Alexander from Paullina Simons' Tatiana and Alexander (The Bronze Horseman) Trilogy;
* Ian Thornton from Judith McNaught's Almost Heaven;
* Lucky Doucet from Tami Hoag's Lucky's Lady;
* Ian Thornton from Judith McNaught's Almost Heaven;
* Lucky Doucet from Tami Hoag's Lucky's Lady;
* Gabe Callahan from Emily March's Eternity Springs series;
* Lucien from Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series; and
* Conrad Wroth from Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series.
Yes...That's quite a list, eh? LOL
Who are your favourite scarred/tortured heroes?
On a more personal note ... I wouldn't be completely true to myself, if I didn't mention that another "scarred and tortured hero", who has touched my own life, is on my mind this week as Good Friday and Easter approaches... and I give thanks to Him.
Beautiful tribute, Jayne, and I couldn't agree more with you. There are many heroes whose scars are not physical but are, none-the-less, visible.
ReplyDeleteThey touch our lives, and the lives of people they don't even know, but generations to come will know and remember them.
And the greatest of all is the One who bears not only His own scars, but ours as well.
As for my favorite fictional scarred heroes, I'd have to second your thoughts on the Black Dagger Brotherhood's Zsadist and Vishous, as well as Gabe from the I-Team.
One of my new all time favorite scarred heroes is Houston Leigh from Lorraine Heath's Texas Destiny, whose scars are every bit as deep on the inside as they are on the outside. Rio, the hero of Lara Adrian's Midnight Rising is another example of scarred Warriors.
The list could go on and on and on... and is always growing.
I've spent hours on Marliss Melton's website, sobbing over her dedications to heroes who lost their mortal lives in service to their fellow human beings.
Great post, Jayne!
Thank you for your beautiful comments, UM. This haunting song by Lene Marlin (a Norweigian singer) just had me thinking of "scarred heroes"…. And I agree with everything you said. May you and your family have a very blessed Easter. *Hugs*
ReplyDeleteWe have an extra long Easter weekend this year because Tuesday (25th April) is the public holiday for ANZAC Day here, when we remember the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought in WWII, though this day has been expanded to remember all those who have served. The significance of their sacrifices have rippled through the generations in ways we can't even fathom or know.
I haven't heard of Houston Leigh from Lorraine Heath's Texas Destiny or Rio from Lara Adrian's Midnight Rising, but I will most definitely have to check them out!
And as you can see from my list, mine is ever growing, too. LOL Though I'm always on the look-out for more scarred/tortured heroes to add to it. So, THANKS! Please always feel free to share any new tortured heroes you come across with me. ^_^
I'll also have to check out Marliss Melton's website. Thank you for mentioning it.