While having a family day at the beach I trusted my ability to swim at the time would allow me to follow a friend further into the water; however, I lost him. I looked around but could not see him. Then I got nervous and started floating because I was getting tired of swimming. The waves were coming over my face. It was hard to breath, and I knew I might not make it to shore.
I vaguely remember turning to see the shoreline for the last time with all the people having a good time, unaware of my whereabouts. Then I felt a calming sensation as if I were watching the people on a movie. I didn't feel afraid. I felt a sensation of floating over the water, watching myself and not hurting or having any thoughts about being in distress. The last thing I remember is seeing how a man grabbed my hair to pull me from the water. It all seemed to have happened rather quickly, but I have no idea how much time had passed. When I was taken ashore my first feeling of pain was having my chest hurt and choking to let air fill my lungs. My lungs felt like I had fire in them thus the burning sensation.
I kept thinking about how close I had been to not making it that day. I didn't realize, until much later in the week, that I saw myself being pulled out of the water!
Last Updated ( Saturday, 25 April 2009 11:52 )
