My dad instilled in me the instinct to be aware, question what the herd is doing. I used to hear this quote a lot, especially as a teenager. "if someone told you to jump of a bridge, would you?". I ask questions...it might stem from my anxiety/slight OCD, but I think mostly because I grew up on a very busy lake and rode horses all over the countryside at a young age. On the airplane I watch the safety demonstration, I use safety glasses, I participate in the fire escape exercise, I never ride my motorcycle without a helmet, I always wear my seatbelt in a car. If I am in a boat (especially enclosed), I am going to wear a lifejacket. Even if the people around me are not, I would at least have one in my lap. Now I wonder if the life jackets not only would not help, they may impede one getting out and under away from the canopy. I know I have taken risks and made bad judgments. I truly feel that but for the grace of my higher power (I choose to call God), there go I.
My husband and I have kayaks. I have only gone out in it a couple of times, on non moving water. I told my husband a couple of weeks ago that when we take our first trip on a river, I will be wearing lifejacket and a helmet. I am a strong swimmer. But I am not 20 anymore.
There is much talk about the storm coming "out of nowhere" or whether it was pretty clear it was coming well before the boats left shore. I know someone whose wife was delivering CPR to some of the victims. I know many friends who have ridden these duck boats (I have not). I am not crazy about going out on my lake from childhood anymore...just too busy and choppy. I am too nervous and I have worked too many claims (more about that some future blog). But people do it all the time, all summer. Now we have learned 9 of these victims were from one family. So sad. Really makes me ponder.
It is so sad those people were out on the lake during a storm. I have ridden my motorcycle in a couple of storms, maybe someday I will blog about it...but today, my thoughts, my prayers and my heart are going out to all those people on vacation, trying to show their fsmily a fun time. Some question the decency of bystanders filming it. Anticipate all the lawsuits...but this event serves as a reminder how precious life is, how powerful nature is and how we gotta take care of each other and pay attention.
