Survival
Yesterday we were out on the lake enjoying the day with friends. Upon returning home, we learned of two boats colliding on a river in Savannah, Georgia. Sadness fell upon me as I thought of the families involved in the accident. They were probably just like us and wished to spend the day together enjoying the water. I’m sure they envisioned lots of laughter and fun, but at 10:30 a.m., two boats collided leaving several dead at the scene and several missing who were later recovered this morning in 14 feet of water near the site of the boat accident.
It is estimated by US Coast Guard statistics that 80% of reported fatalities happen when the operators of these boats have NOT received safety training.
My husband and I took a boating safety class three years ago, and shortly thereafter, we became members of a power squadron at a lake about an hour from our hometown. Safety was of the utmost importance since we planned to have our daughters onboard. We had our vessel inspected to make sure it passed the safety inspection, and we have all of our emergency gear onboard (but pray we never have to use them). We have cruised our local lakes such as Lake Murray, Lake Hartwell, Lake Jocassee, and Lake Keowee. Feeling more confident with our friends in the boat club, we have also ventured out with them in 2020 taking the boat from Charleston to Beaufort, South Carolina on the Intracoastal Waterways. My husband and I loaded up the boat and toured Georgetown, South Carolina on our own and even went to Harker’s Island to visit the Cape Lookout Lighthouse by boat in North Carolina in 2021. That was one of the best and most memorable trips we have taken, and our youngest daughter was onboard during this trip with our oldest daughter taking in the views via FaceTime. The lighthouse was breathtakingly beautiful, and we had the island basically to ourselves to explore. We witnessed dolphins playing, and it was the most peaceful day. One word of caution, though. Research the tides in that area before you set out for the day. Be aware of when low tide is so you will not be stranded and at the mercy of when high tide decides to roll in hours later to lift your boat off the sandy bottom. If you can make it to your destination at low tide, then high tide will be a piece of cake! There were times on our route to the lighthouse that we were nervously navigating through the “S” channel that took us over to the island, but high tide was a breeze coming back!
Stay alert!
When we are out on the waters having fun, we are also on guard and aware of our surroundings. We take turns at the helm, and when my husband is driving the boat, I am looking out for any boaters we might cross paths with. He does the same when I’m driving as well. Just because WE know the rules of the water and which boat is to give the right-of-way, others have NOT taken the safety classes and just don’t know what standard protocol is when approaching another boat. We have seen this too many times on the lake, especially on holiday weekends such as this. Just yesterday we encountered a boat that clearly did not know who had the right-of-way, and in this case, even though YOU may know the rules, your first duty is to avoid a collision at all cost! So, you give even when you are supposed to have the right-of-way. You turn the direction you know you aren’t supposed to because they clearly aren’t turning the way they are supposed to either. First and foremost, you are to ensure the safety of your passengers each and every time you step into the boat. You are the captain, and this is your duty! It doesn’t make you any less of a boater because you gave way when you shouldn’t have. Avoiding a collision is what you are called to do each and every time, whether you’re in your car or on your boat!
A lot of speculation is going on at the moment with people betting alcohol was a factor in the accident. There has been reports of one individual boating under the influence (BUI) thus causing the accident that claimed lives and caused injuries yesterday. Sadly, you can be doing everything right and something like this still happens in a spit second. I think of this when we’re on the boat as well. Some wonder HOW this can happen at 10:30 a.m. in broad daylight. It’s one thing if it’s at night and no one has their lights on, although they are supposed to have their navigational lights on at dusk. But at 10:30 a.m.? How could you not see another boat approaching? Speed boat racing, maybe … yes. Two center consoles? NO!
Travel at a reasonable speed!
Keep a look out in the distance for any boaters or jet skiers. Your head almost needs to be on a swivel with the number of boaters on a holiday weekend. Ask someone else in the boat to be on look out with you as well. My husband and I point out vessels we see approaching that might be a threat so we clear the path for them when we see they might not know the rules on the water. Survival has to be an instinct out there, just like breathing air. Safety needs to be a priority! Yes, have fun on the water, enjoy the sun sparkling and reflecting off the water like diamonds, but be SAFE out there.
Check the weather!
We have never been more concerned about the outside conditions until we started riding horses in 2014 and became boat owners in 2018. Before you head out, check to see what the weather will be like and also check the winds. Any time winds are over 10 knots, it can make for a rough day on the water.
I speak for safer boating activities. May 21 through May 27, 2022 was National Safe Boating Week. It’s not too late to join a class or take measures to ensure you and your loved ones are boating safely on the waters! You don’t necessarily have to join a power squadron like we did, but there are things you can do to ensure your family and friends are safe on the water.
Praying
Praying.
It’s something we do every day in the office.
We pour over the client list and details of what has transpired since we last met, we end the meeting with prayer, and then start our day. Sometimes I have a lot to say, and at other times only a few words are offered from me personally. There’s nothing wrong with that at all either. We are reminded that we don’t need an elaborate prayer or eloquent words for God to hear and answer us. All we need to do is lift our voice to him, either verbally speaking out loud or internally from our hearts and souls straight to God. Prayer is the doorway in which we enter His throne and sit at the feet of Jesus.
Imagine what Heaven will be like. I envision a beautiful lush garden with a variety of flowers always in bloom. From the purple and white Iris to the blooming pink weeping Yoshino Cherry trees, with a variety of more flowers than we can comprehend with an array of colors. This garden will be magnificent with grand stone statues and flowing fountains along the streets of gold. Heaven will be beyond what we can possibly fathom, unlike anything our eyes have been able to feast upon during our time on Earth.
~We are participating in this Mindful Writing Challenge provided by Nadia Colburn. Click on her name to be taken to her website.~
Intense Grief and Sorrow
By now everyone has heard of Naomi Judd’s passing. At 76 years old, after years of struggling with mental illness, she passed away. Her family indicated no further details would be revealed, but in a case such as this, rumors will fly no matter how much the family begs the public for privacy while their hearts have been shattered.
My family knows all too well how this feels having lost my sister to suicide in 2001.
I feel as if I “grew up” listening to The Judds, but upon seeing the years on some of their greatest hits, I realize I was listening to their music in high school instead. The Judds’ hits include: “Mama He’s Crazy” in 1984, “Why Not Me” in 1984, “Girls Night Out” in 1985, “Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain” in 1986, “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Ole Days)” in 1986, “Turn It Loose” in 1988, and “Love Can Build a Bridge” in 1990.
Naomi brought awareness to mental illness, depression, and suicidal ideation through the years as she opened up in a book she wrote on the subject in 2016. She also was frank on the Today Show in 2017 that she became severely depressed after a tour with Wynonna ended. She was honest about not taking care of herself, staying in her pajamas, and not leaving the couch for two years after the tour ended.
It’s hard to think of a “star” in such a light. They seem to “have it all.” Truth be told, they are struggling, too, just like you and I do at times. No one has the perfect life without troubles. No one! Not even a “star.” We have found this to be true when the world was shocked by Robin Williams’ suicide years ago. The man that made everyone laugh was hurting so deeply inside. Who truly knows what someone is thinking, feeling, or going through? We don’t! This is proof yet again with Naomi taking her own life!
There are so many people that speculate on “why” and then those that want to know “how” she did it. Why? How will you benefit from knowing either one? It’s normal curiosity, I’m sure, because we are human. We want to “know” all there is to know. But it won’t bring them back. I had people ask the same when my sister died. “WHY would she do this, Shirley?” “How did she die …” “Do you know how she killed herself?” “What would lead her to do such a thing?” “Wow, she must have really wanted to die.”
HOW does any of that help those that are grieving such an intense loss?
Consider yourself blessed that you DON’T understand a horrific loss such as this and the profound grief that follows! I wouldn’t wish this pain on my worst enemy!
When a life is snuffed out, it is hard to put one foot in front of the other. It’s hard to breathe, honestly. Every part of us feels shattered, and we are crippled emotionally. We don’t know how we will go on another day without our precious loved ones by our side.
Of COURSE we have questions. There are a billion questions swirling around in our heads, yet the only two that hold these answers are in Heaven: our loved ones and God!
Why did He allow this to happen? That is another question we ask ourselves. When God could have reached down His great and mighty hand and stopped them, why didn’t HE???? Because He gave us all free will.
I believe God wept right along with us as He saw this unfolding. And I believe He reached out His arms, wrapped them around our loved ones, and welcomed them home. I do NOT believe that a person dying by suicide sentences them to further torture in the pits of hell. They were suffering so much, so tremendously in this life, I believe God will have mercy on their soul. Just as Jesus said on the cross, “Forgive them Father. They know not what they do …” I believe the same can be said here as well. Oh Father, Forgive them!!! Please, forgive them for taking their own lives. I truly, with all my heart and soul, believe they did not know what they were doing. If they were truly in their “right mind” they would never have done this. Their pain was gripping them, and they felt no way out from its clutch than to take their own lives to “escape” whatever turmoil they were enduring.
I will never bring myself to believe they would intentionally inflict pain upon those that love them, though. They often times believe their families would be “better off” without them, but this could not be further from the truth. The day we lost our loved ones, our hearts shattered. We were instantly filled with such intense grief and sorrow. IF our love alone could have saved them, they never would have died!
At a time like this, instead of seeking answers from the family, please pray for them! Trust me, they need it and will need to draw strength from you in the days, weeks, months, and even years to come!
