My True Grit By Barry Targan Summary

My True Hero
Barry Targan mentions in the article “True Grit” his true definition of heroic courage. Targan states that heroic courage is not only a single act of heroism or a demonstration of physical bravery. A hero is determined by the quality and magnitude of what is lived for, the worth of what is lived for. I agree with Targan’s definition and can relate it to my father who has lived for what he loves, and for what he fundamentally finds worth living for. My father, Brad, has traveled through many life obstacles and challenges, but all in all he stands happy with the life he now has. Brad has lived with four different step-dads, he has lived in poverty, and he was active in military base for three years. Though, he faced difficulties,

Brad fought for what he wanted in his life and is now a successful father and business owner in Meade, Kansas.
Brad respects his mother for the strength she had, but life caused many challenges for both Brad and her while growing up.

As the oldest child, Brad was expected to be the man of the family. Once his mother divorced his real dad, Jim, Brad was forced into taking the father role for the family. Money did not come easy in the first place, and losing Jim’s income did not help the process of raising four kids with one income. Marie, Brad’s mother, did the best she could to keep food on the table, but sometimes they had to skip meals. While growing up, Brad let his sisters have the majority of the food, he knew that it stood as his job to take care of the family. So, he gave up what he had to help raise his sisters to be healthy young ladies. Many nights, Brad had to go to bed hungry, but he loved his sisters and wanted the best for them. Marie met Larry Schneider the following year, but the relationship did not last long. Following their marriage, everything went downhill. Larry lost his primary job and Marie went into depression and soon decided to divorce Larry. Following Marie’s second divorce she has met, married, and divorced two more men. Growing up with four different dads was definitely a struggle, but Brad did not let his sisters or himself take the divorces to heart. He knew that he had to be the bigger person, so he stood as the rock of the family and lifted the spirits to the best of his

abilities.
Once Brad graduated from Phillipsburg High School he decided that it would be best for the family if he went into the military. He knew that Marie could not afford an education for him, so he took to the military which allowed him to send home part of his income to his mom and sisters. Of course, Brad really did not want to spend time in the military. His original goal was to attend med school. After many long nights of questioning his future, he went into a slight depression and decided that his life did not stand as the one he wanted to live. Military stood as the best option for Brad. So, he spent three years on base in Colorado where Brad was stationed. Brad enjoyed the structure of the military. Everything was so much different and the daily meals helped him to put some meat on his bones. Many friends were made on base and they helped Brad realize that he still had many years to live his own life. While in the military Brad met a lady named Emma. They did not know that their first date would eventually lead to a young family, but it did. Once, Brad had served his years in the military he was able to live the life he dreamed of as a kid.
Brad never went back for his education, but he has still made his life a success. The wedding for Brad and Emma was beautiful, and has led to two healthy teenagers. Since, Brad and his sisters grew up in poverty he made it his goal to not let that happen to his family. My father has worked day and night for my entire life. During high school, Brad worked in the meat market at the Phillipsburg grocery store. Also, once out of the military he found a job under the wing of Pat White who owned multiple grocery stores. He advanced to the grocery manager position at the Kingman grocery store. Within two years at Kingman, Brad was given the new store manager position at the Hugoton grocery store. After eight years of success in Hugoton, Brad realized that his life was in the grocery business. Within, the last year at Hugoton Brad was offered to buy the grocery store in Meade, Kansas. Little did I know, that our family would be moving to an even smaller town, but we did. Finally, Brad’s real goal was achieved, he now owned his own business. The first six years he had to pay the previous owner, Kim Stevens, a huge rent check. Luckily, within the last year our family was given the opportunity of purchasing the old ALCO building and starting a grocery store inside. So, we took the opportunity and have expanded our lifestyle in many different ways. All in all, Brad has grown to be quite the successful businessman and father.
The article by Barry Targan gives Targan’s true definition of heroic courage. It also discusses Targan’s father standing as his true hero. As a business owner in a ghetto town, Targan’s father fought for what he loved. His victories had nothing to do with status, but instead he just wanted to have enough. Violence was all around his small business, yet the father still refused to keep a gun under the counter. He knew that his faith and determination would save him. Therefore, he never gave into threatening violence or feared violence. Also, his father’s business was not very successful, but they kept it open the best that they could. Targan loved his business and it was the primary income for his family. Targan’s father stood as Targan’s true hero and my father can relate in the idea that they both fought for what they believed and loved. Also, both went through different struggles to be where they stand now.
My father stands as my hero for the way he has overcome his many different hardships and has made a success for what he loves. He went through poverty with three siblings, many different fathers of his own, and military life. But with those life changing events he has became the hero he is today. Brad now has a very successful small town business and a happy family with two career based teenagers. He played the father figure at a young age and continues to do so today for his kids. Through love and passion he fights for his family and supports them in every possible way. I hope to be just as successful as my father, and cannot wait to raise a healthy,happy family just as he has done.