I was woken up at 5 a.m. by a reality that most don’t have to ever deal with. The father of the family that I rent an apartment to, feels like he has nothing to live for. He is ‘undocumented’. He is from Mexico. He is scared for his future and his family. He is sitting his car, bleeding.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office has a bi-lingual deputy talking with him, trying to get him out of the car and to a hospital. There are three crisis councilors trying to keep his daughter from thinking her life is ruined. There is a s.w.a.t. team around my house making sure he does not hurt himself more, or anyone else. There are negotiators trying to tell him he hasn’t broken any laws and is not going to jail. There is every fire department personnel on duty making sure the road is closed off and EMT’s on hand to treat his wound. It looks like the state of Arizona cares about what happens to a human being. I’m actually quite impressed with their response.
For the last two and a half hours, I have been doing what I can, and it’s not much. I woke up the other family members with a phone call to come support these friends of mine. Now, I’m asking everyone here to pray to whatever you call God to help this man find a reason to press on.
I have known this family for three years, ever since a middle aged mother of three knocked on my door, begging to rent my apartment, because it was the only thing she could afford. Since then, I have grown to love them as my family.
These aren’t animals that a certain asshole talks about. They are beautiful. They are religious, giving, hard working, family oriented people who want a level of dignity that most of us take for granted. I can’t say what led him to this.
He is always smiling. He is a big man with a bone crushing hand shake. He is a mechanic who works late into the evening on cars on the north side of the house. I think it’s often friends cars and often for free. I know he can’t get a job doing this in our town, because of his immigration status. He loves Tejano music. And he loves it loud. I can see how other landlords (I hate that term) would be upset by his actions. But I am thrilled that he is doing what he loves and is helping others. So what happened?
Is it the pressure of living a life in the shadows? Is it a rough relationship with the mother of his child? Is there an inability to see options that make getting out of bed worthwhile?
Life can be hard. But, as an optimist, I choose to focus on the things that make life worth living, so the hard parts are easier to handle. I know this can seem impossible to some. I have never walked in their shoes. But when I pay attention to the clues around me, there are ways to make yourself think that life is special. Here’s on great clue.
I will update this as soon as something happens.
Monday, Jul 9, 2018 · 6:06:16 PM +00:00
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sandbear75
This might be the first instance I’ve heard of where the police use tasers and tear gas to save someones life.
It has been at least 6 hours since this began and he grew more despondent. He cut himself again and the police smashed the car windows and used said methods to subdue him. He is now receiving care in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
The family was escorted away from the scene, so they did not have to witness such an awful scene. I feel like congratulating our first responders for their work to save someone who would have ended up as a statistic.
Now, it will be time to put multiple lives back together. If anyone has suggestions, I’m all ears.
Monday, Jul 9, 2018 · 8:59:52 PM +00:00
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sandbear75
I talked to the family and he is being held for 72 hours. When he calms down they will be able to visit. I will make sure that he knows how many kind people here have sent their regards.
It sounds like his side of the family have taken care of the immigration worries for now. Evidently, he was far enough along on his status that ICE will not step in and deport. It’s hard to tell with the language barrier. I am very thankful that you have been here for me, and I’m not even the one having the terrible day. I think it’s beer:30.