sorryless

Heroes Of The Week

Sorryless50 Comments

For this week’s episode, I was fortunate enough to have been gifted all the stories by my peeps- bloggers and posse alike. So this Friday feels very much like that bodega tucked into the corner of the neighborhood. The one that’s filled with every kind of something and familiar faces that ensure the lights will stay on for a mighty long time. 

Here’s their lineup . . . . 

This first story is brought to us by Dale, who actually delivered up a two for one special. Demetrius Harvard came up zeroes after tossing construction debris onto the subway tracks at 14th Street and 8th Avenue Station in Chelsea this week. As a result, he was charged with reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, assault and criminal trespass. These crimes caused a train derailment that could have resulted in tragedy if not for a “heroic crew” that was able to stop the train and deliver the 135 passengers on board to safety. When it comes to acts of heroism, the Big Apple’s inhabitants don’t need Spiderman’s help. They got this. 

Good Samaritan Rikien Wilder, 44, who jumped into the tracks to remove debris and detained suspect Demetrius Harvard.

And a big thank you to LA for her shout out on the train derailment story. She told me to look up Rikein Wilder for this week’s episode, and I’m glad I did. 

Wilder was on the platform when he witnessed Harvard dumping debris on the tracks. He navigated a set of stairs that led to the tracks and removed some of the debris before the train reached the station; his actions helping to prevent a derailment. He then ran upstairs to alert transit workers before returning to the platform to find Harvard at it again. This time Harvard was successful in his attempt to derail a subway car, after which Wilder gave chase and caught him, pinning him down for fifteen minutes before authorities arrived. MTA Chairman Pat Foye said our hero “exemplifies the best of New York,” and I would simply add this. Rikein Wilder exemplifies the best in all of us. 

Next up on the docket is a beauty of a get from Frank. In his words, “This nomination is so odd that it’s good. For me, no hero – but a collective that came together for something out of the ordinary.” And with all due respect to the Cincinnati Kid, Imma disagree with his assessment. Because every simple act of kindness behaves as spiritual fuel, and Lord knows we live inside a time when our tanks are in constant need of a fill up. I’ll let the video do the rest of my talking on this one. Enjoy. 

Pregnant Woman Jumps Into Ocean To Save Husband From Shark Attack

My pal Jen says we can call it a wrap when it comes to dishing up the Wife of the Year award, because Margot Dukes-Eddy has it in the bag after what she pulled off in the Florida Keys recently. Margot and her husband Andrew were enjoying a day on the water with their family when he decided to take a swim. No sooner had he moved into the water than a nine foot bull shark attached its razor sharp teeth to his shoulder. Margot dove in and was able to remove him from the water and while doctors are saying he still has a fight ahead of him, it’s almost a certainty he wouldn’t have made it out of the water alive if not for the quick actions of his wife. Who . . oh by the way, happens to be pregnant. Let’s hope these two kids will be recounting one hell of a fish story fifty years from now. 

Dak Prescott made NFL history during his amazing performance in the Cowboys' comeback win - Blogging The Boys

Leave it to my compadre Big Papi to find his way into this week’s episode, unwittingly. He was chatting up his Dallas Cowboys recently when he made mention of Dak Prescott’s heroics on the field before segueing into the quarterback’s recent statements about mental health. And then I went to look it up and here’s an excerpt. 

“All throughout this quarantine and this offseason, I started experiencing emotions I’ve never felt before,” Prescott said. “Anxiety for the main one. And then, honestly, a couple of days before my brother passed, I would say I started experiencing depression. And to the point of, I didn’t want to work out anymore. I didn’t know necessarily what I was going through, to say the least, and hadn’t been sleeping at all.”

Depression isn’t a topic I feel quite so courageous about delving into all that often, so I appreciate someone like Prescott. Because for all the critics out there who believe that sports should stay in its lane, its guys like him who are able to shine a light on matters that have been kept in the dark for far too long. 

More than three and a half million Americans live with depression, and those numbers are rising. It does not discriminate and it is relentless. So when we hear an athlete such as Prescott open up about his own mental health issues, it might be easy for some to dismiss him as an anomaly since “he has it all” and so really, what does he have to be depressed about? 

Well, check out this list . . .

Kevin Love, DeMar DeRozan, Brandon Marshall, Michael Phelps, Imani Boyette, Amanda Beard, Justin Duchscherer, Allison Schmitt, Ricky Williams, Jerry West, Serena Williams, Ronda Rousey, Delonte West, Dwayne Johnson, Terry Bradshaw, Joey Votto, Ian Thorpe, Andy Baddely, Ricky Hatton, Dan Carcillo, John Kirwan, Shea Emry, Andrew Jensen, David Freese, Larry Sanders, Oliver Bone, Frank Bruno, Jack Green, Michael Yardy. 

These are just some of the names you’ll find when you go looking for famous athletes who’ve reached the pinnacle of their professions. And every single one of them battles depression on a daily basis. 

There but for the grace of God, you keep on. You find a reason to wake up and to keep up and most of all, you find a reason not to give up. But don’t tell me there’s not some kid out there who can’t learn from the experiences of these athletes. And maybe, just maybe, it becomes their lighthouse in the storm. Because when a guy like Prescott speaks up the way he did, no, it’s not about the games. 

And that’s the point. 

 

 

 

 

50 thoughts on “Heroes Of The Week”

    • It was, wasn’t it? But oh so good.

      He IS the man! I was saying how much I love his courage. He was in the middle of it from the start to the capture, and just wow.

      Love REM, thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. The greatest injustice we can do to each other is to keep quiet. People need to know the truth: we all suffer, we are not alone. When we choose not to share, we are left in ignorance. There is so much good in the world but people only talk about the bad. There is love and compassion, understanding, acceptance, kindness. We so rarely hear about it or the story is buried on page 15. Believe in the good and you will find it!

    Liked by 2 people

    • I am guilty of retreating when things go sideways in my brain. I fill the gaps with running, exercise, meditation and music. But sometimes the quiet is no good, not really.

      Blessings and love to you Pam

      Liked by 2 people

  4. How did I miss the Rikein Wilder story?! What an amazing, brave dude. I so believe in each of us doing our part, no matter how small. And I’m sure he saved lives. Thanks for sharing a little inspiration for the weekend . . .

    Liked by 1 person

    • CK

      I know, right? I would have missed it if not for LA. Glad I didn’t because that dude is the real deal. And the kind of story we need right now.

      Gracias mucho, and have a wonderful weekend as well.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Clearly Harvard isn’t a graduate of the university of humanity. Glad there was someone there to make it a happy ending for the passengers.

    As for depression, sadly I can totally relate, thinking it’s what has complicated life in addition to several whacks by a cruel world this month. Every day remains a struggle but I’m not willing to give up just yet. Still, there are days when the ole proverbial legs buckle from the weight of it all on my soul. Thankfully I have you, Dale and Frank to buoy my spirits for which I thank each of you immensely. Bless you, one and all❣️

    Liked by 1 person

    • That’s such a smart way of looking at what this guy did. Our hero in the story, he made mention of the possible mental illness involved here. Why would someone WANT to do that?

      I love that you mention us because that’s one of the things I struggle with. Mightily. When the wave comes on, I retreat. I know it’s just not the way to go but inside that darkness it becomes difficult to understand myself.

      Blessings and love to you Monika.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. B,

    This whole working-during-the-day is interfering with my responding! And now I have to start all over coz my first response went pouf!
    And your blogger-peeps and posse love you and love helping you out. What a cool idea to find ourselves in a (I was gonna say local diner but we want proper refreshments so…) bodega shooting the shit and sharing the feels.

    How cool that LA’s story has complimented mine! Now we learn the name of the hero who, I can’t believe cleared the first debris only to stop the putz (I’ll not name him) who did it again… and to catch him and pin him down? True hero.

    Dang it. I can’t see the video that goes with Frank’s story. Be a dear and give me some names?

    Wow. Margo Dukes-Eddy. What to say? I mean, bloody hell, my brother-in-law hesitated to go into the water to save his daughter from a jellyfish (Ariane was saved by my son) so to jump in… pregnant! Whoa.

    Kudos to Dak Prescott… and to the list of pro players willing to talk about depression. I don’t usually read other comments, but to get here, I went through them. I know you are the type to retreat. And you know that I’ll leave you alone for about a day or so, but no more .. but then, I let you know I am here for you. And that won’t change. And you’re right. These professional athletes sharing their struggles can and will help someone else who thinks they are alone.

    Perfect song choice. Always.

    Peace, love, and being there,

    Q

    Like

  9. Never thought Spaghettios would make me cry – unless my mother made me eat them one more time.

    And saving your husband from a shark – while pregnant no less? Holy moly.

    All great stories, once again. Thanks for another heroes moment in my day.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Dude this bodega was full of awesome ofertas. Loved it! Bull sharks are no joke as my young one is an avid shark enthusiast he says those are the most aggressive of the bunch high five to that future mama! Plus I appreciate you taking the time to shine a light on depression, because even though people feel weird about speaking on that, there’s nothing wrong with highlighting it and helping others not feel alone. I think the only people that are bothered about athletes changing lanes are the people who’s lanes got left behind. It so irritating when that happens. They have a huge platform, why not help while you have the spotlight. They know they’re beyond scoring points, the problem is people think they’re one dimensional. I’m glad people speak out especially about depression, because that’s a lonely place to live. If you feel someone else has been there, then it makes it easier for you. Rocking the heroes post every week! Keep them coming as I can always use a bright spot in all this heaviness.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Your kids are brilliant souls, just like their mama.

      As for these athletes who use their platforms . . why not? Here’s the thing. Do I agree with everything these guys say? Not even. But do I believe they have every right to speak up when they feel like it? Hells yes I do. And shame on the people who tell them to shut up WHILE pretending to know what democracy is, because they’re clueless as to how it works.

      Bright spots are needed, right? Now more than ever.

      Hang in there hermana.

      Like

      • Dude we definitely need some highlights so I appreciate your posts and the writer’s brush that paints this awesomeness. I agree with you … I’m not always a fan of the people speaking or what they’re saying but they got a right just like everyone else. Being a commentator on life is not exclusive … something that people on fox are too blind to realize

        Liked by 2 people

  11. I feel my two cents would pale next to all the others. I will say, during this bewildering time, your tender tales read like pearls, steadying and bolstering. The woman saving her husband got me, how scared she had to be but did it afraid, anyway. Brings up faith for me, I’ve heard it said, is courage who said its prayers. Susannah

    Liked by 1 person

  14. also – I have a lot of thoughts about depression – like the connection between low vitamin d3 and just not enough sleep and toxic food – to then possible dispositions or life issues that come up and bring huge challenges – and it can so good to talk about it and I like how you ended the post with Dad and the thoughts on this topic

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.