Testing the Limits of the Human Heart

Because I am pretty much just like every other unmarried, childless, corporate-whoring, consumer-driven, 30something American humanoid, I can get pretty self-centered. My problems become huge to me because, well, they're mine. I only have to worry about me, so everything becomes about me. I care for and love my family and my friends with all my heart, but nobody depends on me. Nobody needs me to nurture and provide for them. So, my world view can easily become The Empire of Coletteistan if I am not careful.

And then I read something like this article, and my heart breaks into a million pieces, and I cry for someone I've never met. And I feel so much love and empathy for this person, because I know how it feels to lose a parent. And I think of my youngest brother being about the same age as the boy in this article, hearing my mom scream for him to help her as my dad slumped to the floor with a thud in the room next door. Just like it was for my family, it was too late for this boy as well. But when I read this article, I was so amazed by his spirit and his pureness of heart... I recognized it in someone I've never seen in my life, because I've seen it in my own family members in moments of unbelievable grief.

As I read this article, the world became dramatically less about me, and more about all of us. I paused to be thankful for everything I have, and more importantly, thankful for everyone I love. I don't take that pause enough. I've been reminded to take that pause more.

Below is both the full text of and a link to the article that stopped me, so quickly, in my tracks.

Creel carries on: ACA player's light shines through while dealing with tragedy
By A. Stacy Long
October 23, 2007

The timeline gnaws at Jordan Creel, who missed his mother by about 15 minutes Wednesday night and woke up early Thursday to a screaming fire alarm and looming smoke.

There were only about 15 minutes between when Creel, tired from a day full of school, football practice and church, went to bed about 9 p.m., and when mom Karen came home from a friend's birthday party.

Creel wishes he had woke up when his mom perhaps kissed him on the forehead -- he isn't sure but is confident she did -- because of what he remembers next.

The fire alarm and smoke that hovered seemingly just above his nose rustled him from bed. He ran into the living room to find a wall of flame separating him from his mother's bedroom, the one from which he heard a faint cry of "help" when he called his mom's name.

There was nothing Jordan could do.

Karen Creel, the 43-year-old proud mother of three, died while huddled in the marble bathtub in her bathroom, sheltering her beloved dog in her lap, as Jordan feverishly ran to neighbors and pounded on their doors for help.

Just a few more minutes Wednesday night and Jordan would have that final memory he wishes had been perfect.

"I tried to stay up for her," Jordan said. "I remember moving her ring and bracelet to the table by the couch and waiting on her to come home, but I went to bed.

"I wish I would have woke up, if she kissed me on the head or not, but I don't remember. I just woke up at 3 to the fire alarm."

Jordan, a sophomore at Alabama Christian, was the only child of Karen's still living at home on Halcyon Downs Drive. But Jordan was there when 21-year-old brother Dale learned of his mother's death and listened as grandparents Patricia and Steve Barrow told his sister. Katelyn is a freshman at the University of Alabama.

"One thing we're so thankful for is that she went peaceful," Jordan said. "There were no burns and she died of smoke inhalation with Missy, the dog she was sure was reincarnated from her pet when she was young."

Jordan found his peace quickly.

Family and friends came to the Barrows' Deer Creek home in droves Thursday, some skittish to interrupt the mourning with their presence. Instead, Jordan was trying to stay relaxed, playing games as he thought of his mother and her new home in heaven.

"He really encouraged me," said senior Joseph Gibbons, who arrived at school to find eerily silent classrooms and halls, checked out after a few hours and went to see Jordan.

"Before I saw him, I was so down, but he encouraged me with how strong he was."

Creel was only getting started.

He pondered late Thursday whether he should play in ACA's game Friday at Daleville and told coach Gregg Baker that he wanted to play. At midday Friday, about 30 minutes before the Eagles were scheduled to leave, a lunch group was leaving the Barrow's home when someone asked Jordan what he was going to do that night. He decided to play.

ACA athletic director Denise Ainsworth, the mother of Creel's girlfriend, drove him to school. Halfway there, Creel realized he'd left his jersey in his car and the two turned around to fetch it. Ainsworth called Baker and told him to wait.

"She said, 'Don't let the bus leave,'" said Baker, who hurriedly started packing Creel's equipment while the rest of the team, unsure whether Creel was joining them, took their bus seats.

"They'd been asking me all day, 'Is he coming?'" Baker said. "We had his stuff ready, so they knew something was up."

His teammates greeted him with applause.

"Everybody was clapping and I was like, 'Why are you clapping?'" Creel said. "But it's a family out here. Almost better than the family at home."

In the pregame locker room, Creel cried while listening to Baker's speech and even gave one of his own. When the players started for the field, Baker lingered behind and cornered Creel for a one-on-one conversation.

"I said, 'I don't care how you play. I want you to enjoy the next two hours,'" Baker said. "'But I want you to play well for your mama because she's watching you right now.'"

Said Creel, "He told me, 'I love you like a son and I know you're going to have the best game of your life. What a way to give her a going-away party.'"

Creel ran for a career-high 232 yards and two touchdowns, made nine tackles and forced a fumble, and led Alabama Christian to a 24-21 upset of Daleville. His teammates lifted him on their shoulders after the final play, and the Alabama Sports Writers Association named him the state player of the week Monday.

On Friday, Creel needed so long to wade through fans and supporters that he joked there was no shampoo left when he reached the locker room. Daleville coach Sam Holland even came over to speak to the Eagles.

"I told him what he did was a tribute to who he was and what high school football is all about," Holland said Monday. "You hear so much negative about sports, but what he did is what it's all about.

"We all knew the situation and I was very touched by his players picking him up. Here I am saying all this and we lost, but it was very emotional on our sideline to see that, too."

Karen Creel was buried Saturday and their church, Landmark Church of Christ, and ACA are accepting donations for a trust fund for Jordan. On Monday, the family started the tedious business of changing the names on bank accounts and bills.

Creel also picked up a new cell phone. He's saving his mom's final message.

It came halfway through church and she told him she'd be home before too late.

"I'm at peace with it," Jordan said. "She's 10 times happier up there than we'll ever be here. She was always a fun-loving, spontaneous person, so I know she's doing something crazy up there. She's shaking her butt or something."

Link to Montgomery Advertiser article