March 27, 2006

the weekend.....

I was so thrilled when I woke Saturday morning to go to a particular yard sale of a lady, whose house I had already visited during her first yard sale...had my money and purchased quite a few items...$90.00 worth....botanical prints, chintz fabric, quilts, ceramic bunnies, another vintage bread box (painted the nicest pale green)..pillows, a whole bag of doilies, 2 crocheted aprons, a shawl...and the list keeps going. Will post some photos later today! I was to meet my sister at her house which is about 30-40 minutes from mine...I enjoyed the drive, very peaceful seeing the snow on the mountains...I arrived and ready to go, we started off..going to our usual places...had the ads in hand and driving according to where the sales were at....and as we were driving we happened upon 2 men beating another man as he was sitting at a bus stop waiting for the bus...all of them were young maybe 20 if that....the had the victim laying down and were repeatedly hitting him in the head as well and kicking him too...I couldn't believe what I was seeing...as we passed I kept looking in my rearview mirror as it was still going on...I saw a car pull over to the side and then I made a u-turn and went to help out. My sister is a licensed health care professional (respitory therapist) and we both jumped out of the car with cell phones calling 911 to get help....I still couldn't believe what I was seeing..there was a man who was already on the phone with the police asking for aid...as well as I was...my sister is taking the victims pulse, I go over to him and try to soothe him the best I can...I look at his head, huge bruises already...lots of knots of it from the beating...and he was crying and gasping for air...he couldn't breathe...he said to my sister that he was asthmatic (my sis is also)...she grabbed her purse, reached inside and pulled out her inhaler...she shook it up for this young man and he grabbed it out of her hand and took 2 puffs....within a few seconds he vomited and his airway opened....still no emergency people had showed up....all I could do was kneel down and cradle this young mans head and pray for him....we asked if he was a Christian he said"yes"....and I just prayed like I never prayed before....he grabbed my hand and squeezed it...and told him to let the anger go...to release it to the Lord...to forgive as much as he can, and just know that the Lord..is with you today and everyday....and that he is safe now...noone is going to hurt you, you are safe"....I just held his head...my sister kept trying to talk to him also...he was in and out...he was in shock.....the emergency people came and one had an attitude with my sister for helping this young man....my sister later told me that if we hadn't stopped and helped him , it is very likely he would have died from the asthma attack....she sees this everyday and has been working in her field for over 20+ years....the police took our statements and the paramedics continued working on him...finally was lifting him into the ambulance...I was able to rush over and tell him " May God Bless you and keep you safe"....he turned his head to me and opened his eyes....and just squeezed my hand.....I will never forget that....After all this..we got back into my car...we just drove around aimlessly...just trying to process what had just happened and what we just say. I am 43 years old...and I have never in my life seen such viciousness!! I saw the degradation of humanity, we aren't sure if it was a robbery, gang activity or what....but I came home and just wept...in fact I had horrific dreams most of the night Saturday night and woke up crying....I pray that this young man is well and is healing....he is 19 years old....and when he gave my sis his wallet for his name, she opened it and first thing you saw was a picture of a baby girl, was he a daddy...we will never know. Sunday my husband and I worked in the backyard trimming and pulling out weeds and such....my mind is still processing what i've seen....I called my brother shortly after it happened, he said " I'm proud of you two...you saved that mans life" he said you don't think about what is going on at the moment...you just take care of it you deal with the situation at hand...and think about it later (he is a retired police officer) . The young men that were beating him didn't even stop beating him until the first man came out of his car towards them....just so bold, no respect.....i'm trying to gather my thoughts as best I can...the world is growing more and more violent...we have all seen the news, but to witness such horrific acts of violence right in front of you, it jolts you, causes you to think about what REALLY matters...i called each one of my kids and told them howmuch I loved them, told my husband and the rest of the family as well. I know we did the right thing in stopping, and i believe that is was what the Lord wanted us to do...be the "Good Samaritans". For today, i will do my weekly home blessing, my laundry and putter about the house putting away some of my fabulous finds...but I will continue to wonder about the young man and the baby girl, and pray that they are fine, and be grateful and thankful for my family and friends...but especially having a relationship with my Lord. Blessings to all!!!

8 comments:

Maggie Ann said...

How truly horrible that such things happen. Good for you, being willing to turn back and help. It must have been very scary getting out of the car too, not knowing if you would be harmed also. Yet, perchance God had you there at just that very time, to intervene and cause the beating to stop. I shudder to think of the cruelty that goes on in this world and if I knew even more than a tiny bit...would not be able to sleep. Praise God for his tender mercies to redeem our souls, though the bodies of some will suffer cruel injustices at the hands of sinners.~~~Your yard sale finds are remarkable...what treasures you must have brought home. I'm glad for that...and you know the young man you helped will never forget you as long as he lives...nor will his loved ones.

Terri said...

Oh, Mindy! How horrible and at the same time how awesome - that you were able to minister to this young man, that he knows Who his Redeemer is. Just think of the glad reunion you will experience when you both reach heaven!

Unknown said...

oh my, that just makes me sick. i'm so glad you and your sister were able to help him. did you ever find out if he was ok?

Saija said...

yikes ... how horribly sad ... just the lack of respect for another life ... but praise God that you and your sister did have a Samaratan's heart ...

Fams said...

I remember hearing an interview on our local news with a lady who had just went through a tornado that ravaged their church. The lady was full-figured, and she stated that she had always struggled with her weight, but she said that particular day she was able to shield several younger children with her body during the tornado. She said now she was thankful that she was full-figured. It changed how she viewed herself and her weight.

I wonder how this horrible incident has affected how your sister views her struggle with asthma. I am sure not just anyone would have happened to have an inhaler with them!

The Lord truly uses our weakness for his Glory!

I just pray that the young man makes a full recovery and that you no longer have nightmares.

On a more positive note, I love your blog and really enjoy reading it. I would love to see the pictures of your finds. I don't seem to have much luck at finding anything good.

Peggy said...

God sent that young man angels at just the right time and he will always be greatful. In a way you were blessed too.

Amy said...

wow your post made tears spring to my eyes Mindy, there aren't many people out there in the world who would've stopped to help someone else out in that situation. I would've though and I'm so proud and happy that you did too - I have a feeling that the Lord is thinking of you "well done, thy good and faithful servant".

Dawn said...

You gave us much to think about here..blessings on you for responding as Jesus would have.