The floodwaters came fast. The skies had been threatening for days, and when the rain finally unleashed its full force, Beaumont, Texas was swallowed in a matter of hours. I-10, the lifeline that carries people and supplies across the state, was shut down. The road leading into the Homewood Suites hotel vanished under water, leaving the building cut off—an island surrounded by rising uncertainty.

And in the middle of it all stood one man.
His name is Satchel.

He is not a general manager. Not a regional director. Not some emergency responder called in at the last minute.
He’s just a regular hotel staff member.
But right now, he’s the only one here.

When the flooding made travel impossible, his coworkers couldn’t make it in. Phones rang. Guests grew nervous. Coffee machines needed cleaning. Questions needed answering. And instead of panicking, instead of leaving when he still had the chance, Satchel stayed.

Overnight.

Alone.

He’s been here for more than a day now—tirelessly answering phones, checking on guests, brewing fresh pots of coffee, serving up warm breakfasts, and offering comfort with nothing but a smile and a calm, steady voice. He’s walked these halls like a quiet guardian, making sure everyone inside feels a little less stranded.

Outside, the scene is surreal. Just a mile away, another hotel is completely underwater. A helicopter had to land near the parking lot to evacuate someone trapped by the rising flood. A man, soaked through from walking across the interstate on foot, arrived with bottled water for stranded truck drivers. An older lady gently picked up a rag to wipe down tables in the breakfast area. Strangers began stepping up—not because they had to, but because someone like Satchel reminded them it was possible.

Sometimes, in the middle of the mess, you witness something extraordinary.

You see love in action.

I’m sitting in the hotel lobby now. My feet are dry, wrapped in warm socks. I’m sipping a cup of hot tea and nibbling on a leftover bagel. I should feel anxious—we’re stranded, after all. The roads are closed. Our path home is uncertain.

But instead, I feel thankful.
Deeply thankful.

Thankful that my family is safe.
Thankful for the little comforts that mean so much.
And thankful—so thankful—for people like Satchel.

He didn’t ask to be the hero of the day. He didn’t expect recognition. He just did what needed to be done, with grace and kindness that radiated through the fear and chaos.

So if you know Satchel—if you’ve ever stayed at this hotel or crossed paths with him—please let him know:
He is our hero.
He kept this hotel standing in more ways than one.

I’ll never forget this experience. And I’ll never forget him.

Next time I come through Beaumont, I won’t just be booking a room.
I’ll be coming back to a place that, thanks to one incredible person, felt like home in the middle of a storm.

Thank you, Satchel.
For the coffee.
For the calm.
For the courage.
For caring.

You made all the difference.

—Angela K Chandler