If I ever do write a book, I envision a beginning somewhat as follows:
“I’m going to die. The words invaded my mind as quickly as the numbness that had just engulfed my body, rendering me useless seconds after I hit the water. I tried to move my arms even though I already knew the result. I knew what had just happened. This was bad. I had once pinched a nerve playing high school football that left me with a numbing and tingling sensation throughout my right arm, making it uncomfortable and awkward to move it. This was different, though. There was no tingling sensation to try to shake away. There was nothing. There wasn’t even any pain. I was paralyzed.
A few seconds earlier I was standing alone on the dock of my in-laws’ cottage at Coldwater Lake in Michigan. I was 33 years old, fit and in great shape, Vice President of a Berkshire Hathaway company, married to Kristy, my best friend, and looking forward to enjoying the Fourth of July fireworks tomorrow. The world was my oyster. I had everything going for me. I had my life with Kristy all planned out. I thought I had control over my destiny. Now here I was face down in a lake unable to move or breathe with no one around to help me. My body was floating on the surface of the water allowing death to begin taking control.
It’s amazing how quickly the world changes. Ten minutes ago I had just finished eating some chili macaroni with my father-in-law, Gary. We were sitting outside overlooking the water, watching the boats in action, commenting on what a beautiful day it was. I remember Kristy coming outside to tell us it was supposed to rain later that evening as well as the next few days, once again washing out another holiday weekend. It seems like it always rained on the Fourth of July. I went inside the cottage and got on the computer to check the forecast. The Weather Channel confirmed Kristy’s comments; cloudy with thunderstorms. A bit dejected, I went upstairs and changed into my bathing suit. I wanted to take a quick swim before the forecasted storm clouds rolled in, even though it was gorgeous with a slight wind and very few clouds in the sky. I quickly changed and headed outside to the dock.
My in-laws’ house sits perched atop a hill overlooking the lake. The views are incredible. The dock is situated about 30 vertical feet below the house. A set of concrete stairs are embedded in the hillside and lead down to a long, wooden dock. The dock is a good 20 yards long with the boat anchored near the end. This is where the water is the deepest along the dock. I walked to the end, took off my shirt and threw it into the boat. The warm sun felt great across my shoulders. Kristy and her family were all inside the cottage so I had a few moments to myself to enjoy a quick swim. I always get excited to be on the water. With a smile on my face, I dove in, thus altering the course of my life forever.
The sudden impact of the lake’s floor left no doubt how hard I had hit my head. Usually soft underfoot, I slammed into the bottom so hard that it felt as if I had just head planted into solid pavement. Completely and utterly shocked by the force at which my neck had just smashed into the ground, my mind immediately tried to comprehend what had just happened. I had dove into this same spot many times in the past. But I had never come close to scraping the bottom. Did I not dive out far enough? Was the water more shallow than it was two weeks ago, when I could stand in the same spot and the water would reach past my waist? Had the lake really dried up that drastically in two weeks? The only thing I did know for sure was I was now floating face down in the shallow water, trying to move something, anything, but nothing would work. My body was not listening to me.
The only thing I could feel was the cool water on my face as I stared at the soggy lake bottom a couple of feet below me. It’s as if the bottom was taunting me, inviting me to reach out and touch it and push off. I could not turn over no matter how hard I tried. I was condemned to have to stare at sand and tiny rocks as the final images I would take with me from this world. All I heard was the sound of my heart beating. At first it was a rhythmic pulse, but as the gravity of the situation took hold my heart started to beat faster and louder. The loud pounding of my most important muscle filled the entire lake. Its beat was deafening. My heart was now beating so fast that a heart attack seemed imminent. I felt at any moment it would literally explode from the extreme overdose of adrenaline viciously pumping through my veins. There was no way my body could keep up with the pace my heart was setting.
Suddenly an image of my eight year old nephew, Ryan, popped into my head. He was sitting on the dock, and would recognize that something was wrong and run for help. Surely he would be able to find someone right away to help drag me out of this watery grave and get me on to dry land. I would be able to breathe again and the precious oxygen I was being deprived of would fill my lungs once more. But Ryan was not sitting on the dock. He would not save me. He was up in the house with everyone else. The image of him watching me float in the water was most likely the early stage of hypoxia that was now setting in. I was alone. And I was going to die alone. There was no one to say goodbye to, no one to say I love you to one more time.
The realization of what was happening to me was now as clear as the overhead sky I was looking at minutes earlier. I was so afraid, terrified that this was the end. I couldn’t differentiate the tears streaming out of my eyes from the lake water consuming my face. It was now time to accept this cruel fate that had just been handed to me.
I thought of Kristy and how I would never get the chance to raise a family and grow old with her. I would never be able to touch her face or hold her again. I felt so apologetic and ashamed for having just shattered my neck. I would no longer be able to keep my promises to her. I began to pray.
Dear God, I’m sorry for my sins. Please watch over Kristy and keep her safe and protected since I no longer will be able to. Please watch over my family. Let everyone know I love them. Please accept me into Heaven.
There was nothing else I could think of saying or asking for. I was now forced to wait for death. I no longer had control of anything in my life. There was only one thing left to do. I opened my mouth and swallowed as much water as I could. The water coursed down my throat and stamped out what little consciousness I had left. Everything went dark. I could no longer hear my heart beating. I had drowned myself.”
First the book……..then the blockbusting film with you as the star, I know how good you are at memorising lines.
This is amazing. You have to continue writing. You cannot leave us hanging like this.
Hi scott that was intense I want to read more definately finish this book !! I hope everything is going well for you at your new place!
Scott,
You have the ability to positively impact the lives of others, whether you personally know them or not. I feel very fortunate to fit in the former category. Sign me up for an autographed copy!
Powerful piece Scott.
God Bless You Scott on your journey…. you are in our daily prayers. I was riveted by what you wrote and often think of my Mom’s cottage on Lake Erie and wonder how we could handle something like this. We are here in Orlando if you get the chance to come down here.
Pat (and Mike)
Ane because of that day and decision, many have been affected in ways to deep it seems to describe with words and yet you are. You are a gifted writer, Scott…write on! SO glad we have connected and can not wait to get you and ALex together….oh what trouble you two may stir up…yikease!
Hey, I grew up in the Ohio Valley where we all said yinze.
Scott, you have to keep writing!! this is so inspirational and moving. you are amazing!!! Keep it up!!!
Thank you, Scott. That was an unbelievable read and I hope you will continue to write and tell your story. God Bless and good luck in the new pad!
You have been given a gift as a talented journalist among the many other gifts that you have been honored with. It is a moving chapter in your journey.
Scott
WOWZA! I coul not stop reading your words. What a story of HOPE and INSPIRATION.
Keep writing!
Carol & Don Rahe
This truly is your book to write. God has given you this wonderful gift of expression. Make good use of it. It takes my breath away.
Cherry
I enjoyed reading your account, but watching it from two doors down and having two of our family and friends rush to your rescue and us waiting for the wail of the ambulance!
It seemed to take forever! All the people on the hill were gathered and most in prayer! Through all your trials and tribulations it has made us, neighbors and friends, aware of what could be changed or handled differently in case of an emergency! You’ve paid a very high price for this, but you have touched so many lives with what happened and the aftermath!
One thing we’ve been trying to get changed is the MapQuest for Waterfront, it will only show Canada Shores, so far we haven’t acheived that goal, but the dispatcher assured me that Waterfront is in their equipment and there was no delay in getting there because of the change of name!
We also talked about getting some equipment and storing i at the top of the hill, but we decided it would get stolen, or would need to be locked up and what are the chances that Gary & Karen would be there to unlock it if needed!
My daughter asked why did this have to happen on the 4th of July weekend? Her Aunt answered because there were so many people there to pitch in and help! If it handn’t been a busy weekend, who knows how long it would have taken for someone to come to your rescue!
You will always continue to be a lesson learned and also a blessing to have survived and push on as you have and now are in your own apartment! You keep coming up with good things and inspiration to those who know and read your updates!
Continued healing and one day we hope you will be able to return to the cool waters and scenic view of Coldwater Lake!
Wow…I had been wondering what went through your mind at that moment. I find it interesting that you shared this with us just when you have finally moved out on your own…your journey is inspiring and this entry truly reflects the goodness of your soul…
Don’t stop writing until your story is finished – which I think means you will be writing more than one book that will touch and inspire many !!!
People need to hear this story….you are a gifted writer.
I am not a reader by definition, probably because I just don’t make the time but this was amazing and you should continue and finish the book. There is a reason GOD gave you this talent to write, now use it!
Wow, wow, wow! I have chills – you WILL write a book, and it will be amazing and inspiring. You are such a wonderful writer, and an inspiration. Can’t wait to read your whole story in print. Hope you have a great weekend, Scott! (I’m recovering from the IHA Show in Chicago…I know you remember those days!)
This is FABULOUS – I wish I was a publisher. I would grab it up in a heartbeat – it left me wanting for more (like any great book would).
I hope you can publish it.
God Bless You,
(Bobbi’s friend)
Amazingly written…
You’re writing a book even if I have to fly there and force you to! Seriously, you have so much to contribute to this World. Please do.