May 30 2009
Rescue Me – Love Conquers All
I was impressed with the story of Marlene Hernandez who saved her husband Luis from potential death as he was being attacked by a shark. With all the news stories of husbands killing their wife, wives killing their husbands, mothers killing their children, wars, violence, hate, it was refreshing to hear this story.
Imagine being in the water when suddenly and unexpectedly, sharp teeth clamp down on your arm. Attached to those teeth is a bull shark which can weigh between 200 to 500 pounds and be between 7 to 11 feet long. What chance do you have of survival? Imagine the fear!
While in the Bahamas on a vacation Luis and his wife Marlene decided to go snorkeling for seafood which they both had a taste for. After spearing a grouper, the scent of blood attracted the attention of this shark. Luis and the shark eyed each other and Luis poked it with his spear. At first the shark simply swam away and Luis decided it was best for him to get out of the water. However, before he could reach the boat where his wife was waiting, the shark returned and attacked him.
After fighting with the shark, begging it not to kill him and cursing it out for a few seconds, he began screaming to his wife for help. Luckily he was able to force open the jaws of the shark with his free hand and get loose. Meanwhile his wife, realizing what was happening came to his rescue.
Never mind the fact that she is only 5 foot 2 and 108 pounds, she jumped into action pulling her 160 pound, injured husband to safety, out of the water and into the boat. She fashioned a tourniquet from a towel to stop the bleeding, called for help over the radio and sped towards shore in the boat; all actions that potentially saved his life.
Since May 7, 2009, when this happened, he has undergone five surgeries and expects to undergo several more as his forearm is rebuilt. The shark narrowly missed severing an artery in Luis’ elbow and he was very close to losing an arm from this vicious attack. Thanks to the quick thinking of his wife, who says that she does not know how she did what she did – “It just happened, and I just did it and I don’t know how” Luis’ life, as well as his arm was spared.
Luis, on the other hand, calls Marlene his angel and says “God came from heaven and gave her strength.” She needed that strength to lift him out of the water to save his life. Be thankful for what you’ve got!!
And that’s the way I see it!!!!
SAY IT WITH FLOWERS
