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HeroicStories #752: A Lesson in Preparedness
Reaching more than 40,000 subscribers in 118 countries, this is...
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HeroicStories #752: 7 August 2008 www.HeroicStories.com
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A Lesson in Preparedness Story Editor:
by Mike David Joyce Schowalter
USA
In the summer of 1990, my friends and I spent time at the Ulm bridge in
tiny Ulm, Montana. Ulm is about 10 miles outside of Great Falls and
anyone who has lived in Montana for any length of time will tell you
that summer can be very hot. The Ulm bridge and surrounding water of the
Missouri river provided much relief to teenagers, swimming under the
bridge and playing football in a large shallow area next to the bridge.
While playing football with my classmate and casual friend Zack Wilcox,
about a dozen guys heard yells for help over near the bridge. A high
school girl who couldn't swim had been dragged by the current and was
hanging on to the bridge footing.
The water was easily 30 feet deep and the girl, Tiffany, was crying as
her friends and sister yelled. All the boys ran towards the edge of the
deep water and promptly stopped.
That is, everyone except Zack and I. I couldn't say what I was thinking,
having no formal water rescue training, but I knew I needed to help.
Unbeknownst to me, Zack was a certified lifeguard.
We both swam as fast as we could towards Tiffany, about 20-25 yards
away. Swimming that hard for that long a distance was a grueling
challenge after water football, but we made it to Tiffany before she
went under.
Tiffany was visibly shaken and upset, having held herself up using the
gritty, rough concrete of the bridge footing. Zack and I each took an
arm and made her kick her legs as we made our way back to the bridge. I
was completely gassed, actually thought I wouldn't make it, and stopped
to tread water to catch my breath, but not Zack. Zack was swimming so
hard he actually began pulling both Tiffany and I. I was re-energized by
Zack's determination and began swimming hard again as well.
After towing Tiffany 35 feet to the shore I collapsed on the sand as
Tiffany cried and her older sister hugged her. Zack made sure she was OK
and swam back to the football game. After a few minutes rest, I rejoined
the game and gave Zack an "atta boy" for rescuing Tiffany. Like any
humble person, Zack said it was a team effort and we both did a good
job.
I think about this moment occasionally. Since then, I've grown up and
helped many people. Deep down, I suspect this event set me on a path of
looking out for others versus watching from the sidelines when help was
needed. Zack showed me what courage and preparedness are all about.
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In our last story, "Three Gifts of Kindness" (#751), Pat received three
separate acts of kindness when she became ill.
Jean in Washington said, "Thank you for such a heart-warming story. If
our newspapers printed these stories it would encourage more and more
kindness. As a senior, I so appreciate knowing that others do notice,
and reach out to help seniors. It makes me more determined to be aware
of the people around me, and to take the time to help."
Last issue also had a comment from Jane, who often takes photos of other
people's kids. She said, "I seem to have made an awful lot of
grandparents very happy without really trying." John in Florida replied,
"I, too, have a lot of fun with my camera on the beach every evening. I
always find people who are trying to take pictures of people with the
sunset in the background. Unfortunately, most do not turn on the flash
and thus get pictures of a beautiful sunset with dark blobs instead of
smiling people. I enjoy taking pictures with their cameras that they can
be proud of. In addition, I love to take action pictures of kids, which
I email to the parents. One young guy told me that he was going to get a
camera and take pictures on the beach to sell. He was astonished that I
was doing it for free!"
In our previous story, "And the Roses" (#750), our author, Marcia, met
an older lady at the store buying food for feral cats. The biker type at
the head of the queue heard this, and paid for the cat food. He also
bought the old lady a bunch of roses.
Mark in Texas was concerned. Mark: "I wish people wouldn't assume it's
ok to feed feral cats. She only adds to the overpopulation of cats, and
attracts other wildlife that could potentially carry rabies and other
diseases." Theresa in the Canary Islands replied to disagree. Teresa:
"People who feed wild cats aren't the root of the problem. It's the
people who buy kittens and then dump them when they grow up. I wish
people would learn the difference between an animal and a fluffy toy."
If you missed this story, you can access it here:
http://www.HeroicStories.com/archives.html .
Alan in British Columbia, Canada had a thoughtful question. Alan: "The
stories here are energizing, and so often go against perceived
stereotyping! I often wonder what it takes to be a hero. All these
stories have happy endings. But I am also wondering about the unwritten
(for the most part) stories where someone tries to help but fails. Are
they not also heroes? I once helped someone with a dead car battery. It
was easy, but the person I helped called me a hero, which I felt was
rather over-the-top. What if I'd made some sacrifice to help, but
failed? Do we define 'hero' by how much our emotions are elevated
regardless of how little effort it takes? Or do we define 'hero' by how
much energy, time, commitment, etc. the act takes -- regardless of
outcome?"
What do you think? Please send your reactions to the address below. And
please include HS in the subject line.
Sheila Crosby, Comments Editor
Joyce Schowalter, Networker in Chief
Co-Conspirators to Make the World a Better Place
COMMENTS about stories are always welcome -- please include your first
name and location: [contact information]
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