'What Took You So Long?'

As seen on Heartwarmers

America needed some good news.

After months of depressing stories about church scandals, corporate greed and corruption, murders, kidnappings and terrorist threats, we were greeted this past Sunday morning with the announcement that nine trapped coal miners were rescued against nearly impossible odds.

But before I tell you what happened, let me explain three things: First, I am claustrophobic. It bothers me to sit in a crowded room with the door closed. I have problems watching submarine movies. So, my mind can't even comprehend what it's like to be trapped 240 feet beneath solid rock in a four foot high space that is filled with 55 degree water. I try to imagine what it would be like, but I can't.

Second, for some reason I had a hard time sleeping early Sunday morning, so I turned on the television and saw the whole thing live. I witnessed the miners being rescued -- one by one -- as they emerged out of that tiny 26-inch wide hole that rescuers had been working on for 77 hours. I don't have the words to describe the amazing scene.

Third, our Heartwarmers mission is to give you stories about "strength, hope, courage and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity." Friends, there will never be a story that is more fitting.

This is a story where the list of heroes is endless. Hundreds of volunteer firemen, assisted by rescue experts from the federal and state governments, put forth a Herculean effort to engineer and execute a plan to get the miners out in time. When they finally broke through the ceiling of the underground chamber at 10:16 P.M. on Saturday night, workers were able to drop a telephone line to the miners through a pipe.

 

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