Saturday, January 17, 2009

My Husband, My Hero

Those of you who know me IRL (in real life, for those uninitiated ones) probably know that I'm sick of hunting season. Sick. Of. It. I'm tired of camouflage clothes. I'm tired of guns. I'm tired of all the stuff lying around my house that can't be put away because it's for the next hunting trip. And while I'm very grateful that Sound Man wants to put meat in my freezer, I'm so over hunting season. My husband knows this. He knows and is patient with me. I am not a hunter, nor will I ever be a hunter, so he is patient with my groanings and complainings. Not that he likes them, but he is patient with them, as vocal as I may be with them. And I am vocal.

He and Kiddo left this morning at 4:00 a.m. on the dot. In 11 degree cold, no less, for the last hunt of the season. After stopping by Wal-mart to pick up a portable heater, they headed down through North Mississippi to the happy hunting grounds. Their route takes them through Holly Springs, past Rust College. Except this morning their route was interrupted by smoke billowing from the roof of someone's home. Sound Man saw the smoke and knew that whoever was inside didn't know what was going on. In a split second decision, he pulled the truck over and told Kiddo to stay put.

He ran up to the front porch and beat on the door and windows to try to wake the family up. A woman came to the door and was able to get her family out of the house before the smoke got too bad. The attic was in flames by the time my husband realized the gas needed to be turned off, and in spite of the danger he faced going back into the house, he and a relative of the family ran back in to try to shut it off. He said they couldn't find it before they were overcome with smoke and had to come out.

The family got out safely. Chuckling, he told me that the woman told her mom on the phone, "I didn't know why in the world this white man was beatin' on my window!" The area around Rust College is a predominantly black neighborhood. Yet my husband didn't let the difference in his skin color stop him from helping someone. I realized when he told me what she said that, believe it or not, there are people in this world who would have kept on driving, simply because they knew that most likely someone with a different skin color lived in that house. Sickening.

I have been crying since I talked to my husband. I can't really pinpoint one reason why. I have so many emotions rolling around my heart right now. First, I'm so thankful for my godly husband who put his plans on hold to save someone he didn't know. What did that show my son? Oh, I'm crying so much harder now, because I just realized that in my son's eyes, his daddy grew about 6 feet. Sound Man has always been his hero, but so much more, now. I'm also crying at Kiddo's bravery. He was told to stay put in the truck, across the street from the house, until Dad came back. He watched the whole thing unfold. By himself. Now, as a nine-year old boy, he was plenty safe, but he has not ever been put in a situation like that that I can remember. He's an only child and has been kept pretty sheltered. But he did exactly like Dad said and stayed put, even though he was scared. He grew up a little sitting in the cab of that truck.

And the last reason I'm crying is this: what if my husband had listened to all the griping and whining I've been doing about hunting? What if he had acquiesced and hadn't gone this morning? Would someone have been driving by at just the right moment? Would anyone have seen the smoke before it was too late? God has divine appointments in our lives, no matter if we like the circumstances or not. I'm hoping I will take every opportunity to see things from this perspective from now on.

Sound Man is pretty shaken up, smells like an ashtray, and will be coughing a little today. And even though he's already out at the deer stand, he's still my Hero. And forever will be.


15 comments:

Ruth said...

Wow, what a hero. You must be so proud of him!

Ruth xx

Tiffany said...

He truly is a hero. How wonderful that God knows him so well that He put him in just the right place knowing that he's brave enough to save lives. God bless your family.

Ramona said...

What a wonderful, life changing story...it will stay with me all day...thank you. And thank you for stopping by my site to say hello...you blog is wonderful, I will visit again.

Smiles ~
Ramona

Anonymous said...

Wow! I am so proud of my brother-in-law!

This is a timely post, yesterday we found out that two houses in our little town burned. One was the home of a very elderly couple, and it was the first one the firemen got to. While they were working that fire, they got the call about the other house. Unfortunately, that house burned to the ground.

I'm so glad BIL was in the right place at the right time to help that family.

Love you,

Sister
(Still posting as anonymous, sorry)

Kat said...

I've tried twice to leave a comment here, and I'm not finding the words. I'll just say, I'm touched by the goodness and heart of Sound Man, the heart of Heathahlee, and the goodness and great love of our Lord. I don't know how much that family lost in the fire, but they didn't loose their lives, and I'm sure they will remember the white man banging on their window for years to come!

dlyn said...

What an awesome post - glad I found your blog today!

Anonymous said...

Heathahlee, I'm crying with you, that is, if you're still crying. Wow! It is overwhelming to see God at work. This is such an incredible reminder to keep my eyes wide open. I may not save someone from a burning house, but God could use me to encourage someone at just the right moment. After you give Sound Man a hug, give him one from me.

HSingMama said...

Oh my goodness Heathahlee! So... not... the post I was expecting when I first started reading. I am so thankful that everyone is alright! I don't know what to say but..."wow!" God is amazing!!!

Darcy @ m3b said...

What a hero!

He's a life-saver! That family will always remember him.

Like a drop in the water, his ripple has touched many. The news headline could have read very, very differently.

Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960 said...

Heathah darlin' I've been trying to leave comments but don't know if you've gotten any of them! I love your blog! And the scripture you use at the top is my very favorite! Wanted to thank you all for coming to mom's 75th birthday! it meant the world to her and it was good to see you all! With all my nephew's family went thru...that he went thru..it is so wonderful to see him so happy with such a wonderful wife and boy! And I think he loves you! bringin you a hot chocolate while shopping! I'm impressed for sure! Also wanted to tell you I made 2 tassels last weekend and even though I had no earthly idea what I was doing I think they turned out pretty good! You are a great crafter and a very good writer! I'm a soprano I'd love to do a trio sometime! that would be fun! tell 'em all I love 'em!

Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960 said...

Oh my God Heather I just read the beginning of your blog! I didn't realize you had added another story about my nephew, the hero!!! Now I'm crying! God bless him and Kiddo! I hope this doesn't aggravate his lungs too much! Love you all!

Heathahlee said...

Laura, I don't know if you'll read this or not, but email me at soheathahleecanblog at yahoo dot com so I can get your email! If I don't hear from you soon I'll give you a call.

Windy said...

Oh, what a hero! I had tears, too, while reading! What a great story.
Here, in SC, hunting season is over Jan 1, Yay! I finally got it all washed and put away. My house probably looked like yours with various pieces lying around. I think turkey season starts in March:( Then it will all come out again.

Shannon said...

Wow. He is a hero!

Teri Lynne Underwood said...

*thru tears* Thank you for sharing this ... what a powerful reminder that God is in control!