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Hero Umpire Who Saved a Suicidal Woman #WATWB

John Tumpane can’t explain why he approached the woman as she hopped over the railing of the Roberto Clemente Bridge on the afternoon of June 28, 2017.

The woman told Tumpane she just wanted to get a better view of the Allegheny River below. The look on her face and the tone of her voice suggested otherwise to Tumpane, a major league baseball umpire in town to work the series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Tampa Bay Rays.

So the 34-year-old Tumpane reached for the woman even as she urged him to let her go. The woman struggled and asked him to let her jump. “You’ll forget me tomorrow,” she told him.

“I’ll never forget you,” he said. “You can have my promise on that.”

MLB Umpire Saves Suicidal Woman

You can read the news report and listen to Tumpane’s talk here.

This positive and uplifting story has touched me.

This story reminded me of something I read at Corinne’s blog. It says, “A man who jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, left a note “I’m walking to the bridge,” begins a Golden Gate Bridge suicide note. “If one person smiles at me on the way, I will not jump.” Sadly, no one smiled!”…

This story keeps reverberating in my head!! And more so, because 2 months ago, one afternoon, my husband’s best friend’s sister jumped from a busy bridge and no one noticed or stopped her!

We may never know what somebody’s day looks like. We may never know what battles they are fighting.  We may never know what demons they are facing. Or what life circumstances are weighing them down.

But can we be positive and supportive of people around us and connect with them?
Can we reach out to those who have become disconnected from others and offer them support and friendship?
Can we show more empathy towards people around us?
Can we lend a patient ear and a supporting hand?

This simple act of ours can be a life-saving act.

Can we bring a little sunshine into the days of those around us?

In darkness, can we be the light?

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The “We are the World” Blogfest is in its fifth month of a year-long journey.

This blogfest’s goal is to spread the message of light, hope and love in today’s world. We are challenging all participants to share the positive side of humanity.

This month’s co-hosts, Simon FalkRoshan RadhakrishnanInderpreet Uppal, Damyanti Biswas and Sylvia Steinwelcome participants and encourage all to join in during future months. #WATWB is a blog hop on the last Friday of every month.

Click HERE to check out the intention and rules of the blogfest and feel free to sign up at any time between now and February of 2018.

Please SIGN UP for WE ARE THE WORLD BLOGFEST in the linky list that opens up in a new window:

Click HERE to be part of the Light.

49 Responses

  1. Yes! We can be a light in a darkening world. One person can make a difference in another’s life. We just need to think outside ourselves and be willing to look around us and actually care. This world needs more smiles, more acts of kindness, more hope.

    1. Well said, Camie. We all can do with more smiles and kind words. Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts!

  2. We, humans, are not perfect and sometimes we do get wrapped up in our own little world. Maybe, just maybe, if we smile or nod pleasantly a little more, then we could help someone out without even knowing it. Thanks for sharing this and for being a part of #WATWB.

    1. True, a small little gesture may not cost us anything but it might be a BIG thing for the other person. Thanks for dropping by and am happy to be a part of #WATWB 🙂

  3. Went and read the piece. Sometimes doing something simple for someone can make the difference between life and death. I got goosebumps reading the piece Shilpa.

    1. Same here, Tulika. I don’t know how many times I must have shared about the Golden Gate Bridge suicide with my family and friends. I wish we realize that no act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted!

  4. That’s a wonderful act of humanity– thanks for sharing this story with us, Shilpa. Thankyou as well for joining the WATWB team as a co-host, and adding your voice towards positivity in our times.

  5. I hope he does see her again Shilpa. That was her concern after all. Good on him for holding on until the responders came – thank you for sharing this.

  6. You have so rightly said it. If only ppl could step away from their own troubles /life n stepped up to be considerate towards others too, this world will be such a beautiful place to live in….

  7. A smile and kind word is enough to change a person’s mindset. We all need love… We are after all humans. The rise in suicide rates is heart breaking. And I hope we as a society grow more compassionate.

    1. True, if only we share kindness and smiles around us, for all we know, we might have made a difference in someone’s life.

  8. This reminds me of a college friend of mine who jumped out with her two babies . The older child got away but the younger met his death with his mother. I always wonder if we could have done anything had we known that she was in town …..

    1. OMG! That’s soooo tragic and sad!
      I know, such thoughts keep coming back to us, to haunt us, even though we may not have any answer.

  9. When I see people who appear to be angry or sad, I always wonder what their story is. Are they just have a bad day or are they having a bad life? If I feel comfortable, I try to smile or say hello. You never know if it’s going to turn their day around or at least let them know that someone notices them and perhaps cares. If we all could keep our heads up and notice those who might need help, it would truly be a better and different world.

    1. You are making a difference in the lives of those around you, Mary, by spreading smiles and being compassionate. So proud of you. That’s what we all need to do too! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  10. We all are need some care & what this man did was so good- kind! It doesn’t add to this true story but, few months back I watched a tv series 13 reasons why: why a girl gave up her life. Was pretty sad!

    Also, the Golden Gate Bridge story sad 🙁

    1. Glad that John was there for this woman. Sadly no one was there for the Golden Gate Bridge person and my husban’s friend’s sister.
      I have read the book and it shook me. Truly sad and tragic!

    1. Thanks for reading this, Shantala and we would love to read some positive stories for WATWB from you too. 🙂

  11. feels so sad thinking of how a single smile could have stopped someone from committing suicide. Especially when you consider this is still happening all around… people with their hearts in turmoil seeking a single friendly smile.

    1. I know, it is so disturbing that so many people need just a kind word or a smile to turn around their day or may be life! 😐

  12. Hi Shilpa – sadly that is so often the way with people who are so desperate … and yet those who are rescued are for ever grateful. As Dr Roshan says above .. just one smile could save a life – forever give a smile …

    This is one wonderful story though – and I’m sure he won’t forget her … and she will repay society in some way for the Umpire’s rescuing her that day …

    Thank you for this – Hilary

    1. Yes, all it takes is a small act from our side and it has a huge impact on the other person.
      Oh yes, this would have been a life changing experience for both of them and here’s hoping that the woman finds meaning in her life and pays it forward too. Thank you for dropping by and sharing your thoughts, Hilary!

  13. Loved reading this shilpa, this year february 2017 an engineering student jumped from the third floor and was on the spot dead. A suicide attempt and so sad there was no one to help. The junior who saw this in front of his eye is so disturbed and shaken mentally is now visiting a counselor for help. suicide is preventable form of death, and how heartening to read Tumpane ‘s act of kindness. Thanks for sharing!!

    1. OMG! That’s so sad and heart-breaking. And it must be so hard for the person who witnessed that. 🙁

    1. True, we may not know the struggles of the other person but we certainly be kind to him and try to bring some light in his life. Thanks for dropping by Amrita!

  14. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude!

    Many thanks, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS.
    I don’t understand why I cannot join it. Is there anybody having similar
    RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond?
    Thanks!!

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