Sometimes the algorithms on YouTube can make a very unexpected video go trending, even at times after a long period of time has passed. It’s not unheard of to see a video from many years ago suddenly be trending again and picking up large numbers of views. What is less likely, maybe unprecedented, is for an eye witness account of an event more than one-hundred years ago to suddenly take off.
Yet that is exactly what is happening with the verified tale of Emeline of 1800’s Maine as told by Nettie Mitchell in 1979 at the age of 98. Now you might be thinking to yourself, “why is this newsworthy and who cares about a story from so long ago?” To that I say, you need to watch the video. I sincerely believe that this one video should be shown in every ethics class in the western world. It is powerful and it is poignant. It is a reminder to all of us that bad behaviors need to be called out, poor actions can have horrific consequences, and yet without a redemptive form of grace in families, in communities, and in societies, the most “righteous” of us can create hell.
I guess trending YouTube videos don’t always have to be of gross eating challenges, amazing trick shots, or updates from teenage influencers. Sometimes a trending video can be from a long-lost voice telling the world about a shunned lady, a victim of horrific circumstances and unforgiving, malicious hearts. Yet one-hundred years later, Emeline’s story is being told suddenly to millions of people, who surely must know that her life is of infinite worth. God bless Emeline and people like her. Perhaps you don’t believe in Heaven, or perhaps you have your doubts. Let’s hope for the sake of Emeline that such a place exists. Based on this story, she deserves eternal kindness and love.
After watching the video today, suddenly trending despite its 2019 publication, maybe we should all think about if there is an Emeline in our own lives. Sometimes people are so desperate for grace and self value… what kind thing could we all do today to make this world better for someone in need?
Feel free to comment your thoughts below. If you’d like to see more poignant stories like this one on That Park Place, I’m sure we’ll have them when possible. Thank you to David Hoffman for making this article possible.
