The following letter was shared with the Eagle Observer by Gloria Hardison, great-grandmother to Izabella Rubendall, a seventh-grade student in Gravette Schools. The narrative which follows was written by Greg Barber of Sulphur Springs, Izabella's grandfather.
"I have to brag on this 12 year old girl, for being brave, strong and humble enough, she isn't sharing the story herself. Many of you know my granddaughter, Izabella Rubendall. This is how she spent the morning of the great Noel flood.
"Bella was staying the night with her dad and 5-year-old brother in her dad's house on the bank of the Elk River. Her father, a recent amputee, had been released from the hospital the day before with a bad staph infection in his arm and leg. I know what you're thinking: a pretty tough Christmas break already, taking care of dad and little brother.
"Then the historic rains fell. Bella's dad woke them up yelling at 8 a.m. that water was coming into the house. He tells her to get her brother up and grab some things while he moves the car to higher ground. He comes back to the house and the water has surrounded the house, inches deep inside.
"By the time they gather up all the medicine, prosthetics and some personal items, the water was up to Bella's waist. Opening the door to wade out brought in a gush of water that almost knocked her and her dad down and did send her brother under water. Bella grabbed her brother, pulled him up and placed him on her shoulders. She then carried him on her shoulders while he was holding a backpack of stuff and she, a bag of items, through the flooded yard and up the flooded street until a Good Samaritan came up and helped with her brother and dad.
"Please reserve judgment on the logic of being in that position to begin with. I agree with you, but sometimes poor, sick people have poor, sick ways. I'm just one of the proudest papas because she was willing to take care of them first of all, and then really take care of them when everything broke loose. Glad she's on my team. Love you, Izabella."
General News on 01/13/2016