When a tragedy like the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo., happens, we struggle to make sense of it. Why did it happen? How could someone do something like that? What is this world coming to? But from sadness, does come hope.

Springfield native Matt McQuinn was one of 12 people who lost his life in that movie theater. Becoming a hero was not on his mind as he anticipated seeing “The Dark Knight Rises” with his girlfriend, Samantha Yowler, of St. Paris and her brother Nick. Yet, a hero is what Matt has become. He lay on top of Sam, shielding her from a madman’s bullets, sacrificing his life to save hers.

And Matt wasn’t the only one. Jon Blunk and Alex Teves acted in the same way, allowing Jansen Young and Amanda Lindgren to survive the bloodbath. While the fact that these young men lost their lives to save others is a tragedy, their heroic acts are a triumph.

There are men and women who lay their lives on the line each and every day to keep all of us safe, always aware the ultimate sacrifice is a possibility. Matt, Jon and Alex hadn’t planned on the wee hours of Friday morning being their last days on earth, yet they did it anyway.

I am proud of them. In this day and age, when it seems easier to look at the glass as half empty, selfless acts like this prove we can feel good about mankind. And the good news is, it doesn’t take a shooting rampage to find it.

At the Clark County Fair last Friday, I watched as up-and-coming country artist Wyatt McCubbin signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans after 90 minutes on stage. He was hot and sweaty, and no doubt would have loved to just kick back and toss down a big ol’ sweet tea (he’s only 17!), yet he had a conversation with each and every person, young and old. “I can’t believe it when folks say I’m a role model for their kids,” he said with a grin. “I take that very seriously, knowing that there are people who look up to me.” (Well, he is 6 foot 4.)

Dictionary.com defines a “hero” as “someone of distinguished courage or ability, admired for brave deeds and noble qualities, a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.” I’m not trying to put Wyatt McCubbin in the same category as Matt McQuinn, but keeping in mind these two very different acts occurred on the same day, I’m comforted in knowing this generation has some quality people in it, who see glass as half full.