a terrifying story with the best possible outcome
my boy was one of those ocean lifeguards
John Lloyd was pulled into the rip current soon after entering the water to help father and young son. He was able to take the boy from the father, who felt himself being overwhelmed by the rip current. Soon John Lloyd felt himself being pulled away from shore. He was rescued by Chase after handing the young boy to Stuart. Both Chase and Stuart struggled to save the swimmers in the strong rip current, Chase coughing up seashells and sand after the rescue. After bringing the boy to shore, Stuart re-entered the dangerous rip in a desperate effort to save the father. Unfortunately, the father died of a heart attack later at the hospital.
3.06.2008
heroes all
a terrifying story with the best possible outcome
my boy was one of those ocean lifeguards
John Lloyd was pulled into the rip current soon after entering the water to help father and young son. He was able to take the boy from the father, who felt himself being overwhelmed by the rip current. Soon John Lloyd felt himself being pulled away from shore. He was rescued by Chase after handing the young boy to Stuart. Both Chase and Stuart struggled to save the swimmers in the strong rip current, Chase coughing up seashells and sand after the rescue. After bringing the boy to shore, Stuart re-entered the dangerous rip in a desperate effort to save the father. Unfortunately, the father died of a heart attack later at the hospital.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
the ocean is a mighty opponent at times, so this is a really amazing story. you are right to be proud.
I am so glad he has survived three summers of this duty. It is an awesome responsibility, especially at this beach, near a river outlet, where the currents are bad. It is also so very bad in the South where so many young black people are not taught to swim. Each summer there is one young black person who drowns.
All three are heroes, for sure. Mr. Lloyd is very deserving of the honor. Stuart and Chase are remarkable young men, truly heroes. I didn't know that last piece of the story, that Stuart had gone back into the water after bringing the child on shore. The entire event is just unbelievably frightening, but then, we would never expect anything less from Stuart, than to give his all to someone in need. He is just that kind of guy. I love him so much.
The boy has always had a level head in a time of crisis, it seems. Remember when he was just a little boy, staying with Uncle Thomas with the "threat" of the rain-drenched ceiling falling in on him? He stayed. Did he know that the ceiling caving in, wasn't likely to happen? Who knows, but he was just a little boy, and he stayed, and his comment was, "The importantest thing to remember, Uncle Thomas, is not to panic."
Yes, Stuart is an amazing person.
You are mixing up the stories a little, however, kt.
At the time of that memorable quote Stuart was counseling his uncle after having a tornado drill at school. He was so intense, that he climbed up on Tom while he was in bed, so that he could impress upon him the importance of the lesson from school. Their faces were inches apart.
The ceiling falling in was later, and it was over Em's bed, during one of those March deluges. No one was in bed at the time of the collapse (although Em probably had many nights of unsteady ceiling above her before it finally came crashing in--those leaks don't develop to that degree all at once!)
There are many danger stories I could tell but I may have to save them for later blog entries. They could be entitled, "Stupid Single Mom Imperils Children--Repeatedly".
yeah, well, remember that "stupid single mom" managed to bring her children to adulthood. are you over the illness and ready for austin?
Oh, what memories--with age (and hearing them told secondhand) affecting mine! Still, his intensity comes through. . .and he apparently never forgot that lesson.
Well, while we are sharing memories, may I reminisce about the one that defines Em's creative talent, I think? At age 4 or 5, Em and her single and very bright mom plotted an elaborate scheme to fool her auntie kt. Em lured in her auntie to her brand-new bedroom at Heart's Home for a bedtime story-read, and acted appropriately frightened when the closet door mysteriously slammed shut (having been rigged by Mony and Nancy-Pal). I was terrified (and trying to act brave!). Em never broke character, whispering, "What was that?!" and sneaking out of the room, with her auntie, to safety.
Em was already developing her talent for creating believable characters, which is expressed so well in her writing, now!
It is neat to see how events from their childhood connect with their adult personalities. Which makes me glad that they were spinning yarns and advising uncles about tornado safety, instead of, say, spending their days (and mom's money) at the mall. (Although I know I could benefit from having some fashion advice!)
Well, a long blog. Can't say enough about these kids!
At this point, I must retell my favorite Emily story.
She was dissed at the video store: Stuart got to rent a Godzilla video and she was asked to delay gratification for a payday, to rent her My Little Pony video. Probably because Mom really preferred everyone watch Godzilla, and she was right, it was her week (how could she be wrong??)
But I digress..
So at some point, a very pissed off Em walked a mile and a half along a very deserted country lane, from her Grannie's to Hearts' Home, got her piggybank and was headed to the video rental. She was six.
I was lucky to catch up to the thoroughly pissed off Miss before she crossed State Hwy 41!
I really really hated taking that piggybank away from her and toting her back home. I really hated it, because I could see I was squashing her mighty spirit.
Fortunately it was only temporary.
Yes, absolutely only temporary! :-)
Post a Comment