Wednesday, February 9, 2011

put your hands up

When you think ‘crime fighting hero’ I’m guessing the first thing that comes to mind is not a grandmother and her handbag. (If it is, I’d love to hear why!) But that’s exactly who the hero of the hour was this week in the UK. When she heard a commotion down the street, the wee wonder of a woman took it upon herself to stop the six suspects from smashing the store windows and ultimately stopped a robbery from taking place.
I'd like to think I'd be that brave. If my life wasn't in immediate danger, I'd like to think I'd be the one running across the street, wildly waving my purse, stopping a crime from getting any worse, but I honestly don't think I could ever predict my reaction. Of course I’d want to be the one that saves a stranger or blocks a break-in, but would I? Would I be the one to cause a commotion, to come to the rescue, to look danger in the eye? I think when situations suddenly present themselves, a split second decision is what shocks you into action...not the hours you've spent analyzing what you would, should or could do.

My husband often tells the story of when he was a young boy and became pinned under a full flower box that he had tried to climb. His sweet four-foot-eleven little lady of a mother suddenly appeared, as strong as Hercules, and lifted the 300 pound box off her little boy. Ask her to do it again, without her son underneath, and I guarantee she'd struggle to shift it ever so slightly. But when danger strikes, we so selflessly jump to the rescue without stopping to think about our actually abilities or certain consequences. I can only hope that my courage will kick in when I need it, that my muscles can move more than I realize and that I, too, could save the day if I had to.

What would you do? Have you ever witnesses a crime?

17 comments:

Diana Mieczan said...

Ohh my..she was really brave, wasnt she? I dont have a clue how I would react in a situation like that. I think with stuff like that you just go with what you think in that second. Kisses, sweetie

Ps: I am hosting a beautiful GIVEAWAY today! Hope you’ll join in :)

Brittany said...

I SERIOULSY love love love this video! I hope I am that bad ass when I get older :)

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Oh my gooness. It looks like there was a man inside as well kind of watching. I don't know if I would have run up there, I think I would have been scared if I was alone. I don't know but I am inspired by her for sure!

The Gallery Gal said...

Omg that's hilarious! So crazy what people can do when adrenaline kicks in!

Starlight said...

I would love to say that in a situation like this I would bravely stop the crime like the old lady did. But to be honest... I don't know. I can't predict whether I would freeze and just stand there, not being able to do anything or I would "attack" the robbers with my handbag. I'm hoping I would do the latter.

A Crimson Kiss said...

What amazing women (the crime fighting grandma and your hubby's mama)!

Kaylia Payne said...

Wow, that was really brave! I'd like to think I would run in there and stop it...but a small part of me thinks I would just run away. It's hard to tell until you're tested.

Also that is such a great story about your husbands mum, how awesome!

Ashley Rae said...

I saw this on the news the other day. Go granny!
I have never witnessed a crime but I work in a hospital where emergencies happen every time I work and people's lives are in danger. So, I know what it's like to think fast and just do what you have to do to save someone.

--Ashley
araeofstyle.blogspot.com

paislea said...

wow!!!! go go g-ma! that's amazing. what a brave lady!!

allisterbee.blogspot.com

Traveling Distances said...

She's brave! I thought about what I'd do in certain situations too, but I think I'd only know when I'm actually presented with the situation itself.

Lily Riani said...

love the video and yup! very super duper brave

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

I read about this- I am glad there are still good people in the world!

Unknown said...

This is amazing! What a courageous woman! I agree with you about so much of it - there's no way to predict our reactions but I'd like to think I would be courageous enough to do something. I don't know if I could hit the criminal over the head with my bag but hopefully I'd have the guts to try and stop it somehow. Scary!

Sarah said...

oh my gosh this is crazy. That lady has some serious guts. I'd like to think we'd both be like that:) THat's such a cool story of your husband, i think stories like that are so cool!

kimbirdy said...

that's awesome! we are definitely capable of way more than we would ever think we'd be when those chemicals get pumping. our subconscious knows how to survive way better than our logical brains. still, i think there are certain things little old ladies can get away with. i mean, what robber is going to hurt an old lady?

Anna @ IHOD said...

that is incredible.
I have not witnessed a crime before but I always wonder how my reaction would be.
I do know though that when it comes to my son, I have done crazy things to step in and protect him:)

Molly said...

That video is awesome!! The robbers seem so bewildered as she's swatting her purse at them. Amazing courage. Thanks for sharing this!

PS. I think it's funny your blog is named "other than the weather"… I mention the weather a lot! Haha. But only when it's worth talking about :)