I do not regret for one minute, the time I moved a battered woman and her baby into our home. Yes, her six foot tall “husband” came to my door looking for her. Yes, he threatened me. Yes, I was scared. But guess what? I never showed my fear. What I showed that woman beating coward was claws and fangs. And he left. Without another word. Because that’s what cowards do when confronted by a short crazy woman. Now do you think that six foot man was afraid of me? Not for a second. What he was, was stunned. Stunned that someone would stand up to him and speak the truth. And the truth, as spoken to him that day, was that he was not getting into my house to get to her. Not without a fight. And if he chose to fight, he better make it a good one because I would go down to the end fighting like a crazed lunatic to protect that woman and her son.
I don’t regret jumping into the middle of two grown women fighting as a group of men stood by watching and laughing. I could not walk by the “entertainment” of seeing one woman pummel another woman at the beach. Sorry, I’m just strange like that. Was everyone involved drunk? I am pretty sure they were. Does that matter to me? Not in the least. All I saw was someone being hurt while others watched and it made me crazy. So I grabbed the injured girl by the shirt and pulled her back while stepping in front of the other girl. And you know what happened? The other girl just stared at me and the idiot men got quiet. Because I am so big and bad and brave? Hardly. It all stopped because they were all stunned that some ridiculously short, round, middle-aged lunatic would actually step in. Do I think they listened to a word of my tirade against the inhumanity of man? Puhleeze! They laughed in my face and walked away. So I won. They. Walked. Away.
I don’t regret confronting the man who was beating his girlfriend in public. Yep, right there in the Taco Bell parking lot. Sitting in his truck. Beating her. So when I confronted him, he stopped and stared at me. Because he was stunned. Because other people had just parked, looked at them and walked inside to order their tacos. And when his girlfriend didn’t want to come with me, she was stunned that I gave her my phone number and told her I had a room for her when she finally got sick of being hit.
I am not telling any of this so you will think I am wonderful or crazy or desperate for therapy. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what you think of me. It does matter what I think of me, however. It matters when I am laying in bed at night trying to fall asleep. It matters when I look in the mirror. It matters when I look into the faces of my husband and children and grandchildren. What I do, what is in my heart towards my fellow man, matters.
27 comments:
Right on. I admire your honesty and your spirit. You said it: You care. So sad that so many people do not care about each other any longer. I would be right there with you and it sounds like I look alot like you. That would be two short, round, middle aged lunatics. This is a wonderful post reminding people to wake up and re-join the human race.
Unbelievable! What is in someone's mind as he sees a dying man and then walks away? I cannot imagine! That is so, so horrifying.
Good for you for stepping up and doing the right thing. Obviously the right thing is not always the easy thing.
You are amazing, most people never get involved. I have never had the opportunity but I think I would do the same as you. I just can't imagine walking by while someone suffers.
Oh my gosh, you are fabulous. Even more fabulous than I originally thought.
I cannot believe people are like this....
Thank God people like you are here. Truly.
I am so stunned by this horrific display of callousness that I could only stare at my computer. There are days I am thankful I do not have cable or access to TV. There are others where I feel out of touch. Today, I am glad I was spared anger but I also think we all need a wake up call despite what our reaction would be in this situation. I do believe fear is spreading like cancer nowadays. In all shapes and forms. We walk around in self imposed bubbles that protect us but also proclaim "SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST!" "It is your problem, not mine."
It is pure, unadulterated, self centeredness. And we live in a society that perpetuates a love of self. I am totally engaged that I am on a soap box with this comment but I don't care. I have more to say...I remember stopping for a woman who was on the side of the road while with a friend and this friend chastised me for how dangerous it was. I am not sure if she thought this woman planned on pummeling me with her stiletto but the stranded woman was sure grateful when I insisted on helping because her cell phone was dead and we waited with her until her ride came. Because, ironically, I wanted to PROTECT her since she was vulnerable on the side of the road like that. All I know is you keep being crazy Marla. I am jumping on the looney bus with you.
I would expect nothing less of you. You are not one to stand idly by and let someone, anyone suffer. It's just not in your nature. Too bad there aren't more Marlas around. Have you considered cloning?
Wonderful post. I agree 100%. I try to always live by the motive: "Do as to others as you would have them do to you." Well, I would want someone to step in and help me.
Thank you for sharing.
Marla @ www.asthefarmturns.wordpress.com
Wow, that is terrible. What is wrong with people? This whole thing just makes me sick.
Stopped by from SITS.
that first story is heart wrenching...i cant walk by...God, help me if i do...
Amen! I'm also a buttinski... maybe because I wasn't raised in NY where violence is so rampant you become immune to it? I don't know. For whatever reason I still care about others and for that I am thankful. Glad to know there are others out there who care, too!
I find it so hard to believe that anyone could just walk away... incredible. I'm glad you're not those people.
Visiting to welcome you to SITS :)
Injustice and apathy happens every minute of the day. YouTube has lots for viewing. I'm amazed at how people will stand idly by (watch and/or video) and allow horrendous acts to occur without intervention.
I don't carry a gun because I know I would already be in jail.
On the first story - WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO 911. Makes me furious. As for your rescues - Bravo. You were placed in those circumstances for a reason.
That is just so, so sad. How have we become so disconnected, so numb to other people's pain? Is it all the violence we are spoon-fed every day in the media? I don't know. It is tragic. Last year it was snowing and I swerved to avoid a car that lost control and my van went off the freeway and slammed into a fence. No one stopped to see if I was okay. I was in a minivan. Minivans usually have kids inside (mine didn't at the time, thank goodness, but you couldn't tell that from the freeway). I was so disheartened. I really couldn't believe it. I'm so glad you are a light amidst all this disconnection. Good for you Marla.
I saw that too, and it made my blood boil. Horrible, sad, horrendous... the list goes on. I can understand people being afraid to step in, but at least call someone for help.
I just heard this story this morning. How, how can someone walk on by. I was baffled too. I would never be able to walk by either.
I didn't hear about that story. How awful. It makes my heart break to hear about people hurting without people stopping to help.
Good for you for sticking up for others. I will now add onto my prayer list for your protection when you get into these situations. I am sure you have not seen the last of them.
From one crazed lunatic to another~
Kate
I really admire you for this. A LOT. I saw this on the news last night and was appalled. Dr. Phil became a part of the story, saying that an explanation for this horrid behavior could be that people thought the man was on drugs or drunk. SO WHAT? I second Monkey Man. If you're too worried about your own safety or whatever, step away, and call 911. DON'T ASSUME that the man, woman, child, whoever is bad news. Maybe, just maybe, they were performing a valiant act and now need help from YOU.
Societies without civil courage end up with Nazis. Or something worse.
Someone else mentioned this re: the first story. How hard is it to call 911, at the very least! That is AWFUL!
And you, my friend, are amazing - showing the kindness of God! What an incredible example you set for your children, your grandchildren, and those around you.
i saw that one as well and it left me speechless. in this cell phone age nobody called the police? they turned the body, looked and left?wth??
I didn't see that clip but just reading about it made me speechless. I could not believe the inhumanity of the people who stood there, watched, photographed. What if that had been one of their family members? How pathetic of them.
Good for you for standing up! I feel the same way and I've been known to step into places before as well.
That video made me ill! I could never walk past and leave him lying there.
Years ago, I was assaulted by a stranger in a parking lot. It was noon and the lot was not empty. I screamed. I watched people get into their cars and drive away. I feared for my toddler. I couldn't believe that people would leave me there! What if he decided to drag me away and kill me? Or rape me right there in front of my daughter?
I am thankful for people like you. It's so sad there aren't more...
I couldn't believe that story when I saw it! Shocking!
On a lighter note, I am here to welcome you to SITs! I hope you enjoy the party:-)
Yes indeed, Marla. It DOES matter what you think of yourself. I only wish there were more people like you. Thank you for being who you are.
Post a Comment