4.26.2009

So Thankful!

God, thank you so much for keeping my family safe!

I don't know how much of the story I can tell, but I am going to try. We went to Lake Ouachita on Saturday and were going to hang out on the party barge and swim and have a picnic. I never let my kids anywhere near the boat without a lifejacket. Caden decided to jump off the boat while we were out in the middle of the lake and the water was so choppy. Scotty had no lifejacket on and didn't think twice about jumping in after Caden. The current was so strong that they started drifiting away and Scotty was having a hard time holding on to Caden. The boat was not anchored and I started floating away. I ended up miles away from them. I could not get the boat started and I was trying to call 911 and it took forever to get through. I was screaming hysterically and they could not understand me. I was screaming at boats to stop and noone could hear or see me. I thought they were dead...after about 20 minutes, I threw down the phone and got on my knees and started praying. I knew they were gone, I felt like dying and it was the most helpless I have ever felt in my life. I couldnt see them and I had drifted so far. Some fisherman heard me screaming after about an hour and went to help. The Game and Fish had told me there were people in the air and on boat looking, but I had to hang up on them. The fisherman found Scotty and Caden on a shoreline. Scotty had swam about 600-700 yards and he had to let Caden go because he couldnt hang on to him. Scotty was so sick when we found him. Caden was fine. But apparantly Scotty had felt like giving up and he though he was going to die. He prayed and prayed. Somehow he said he was screaming at Caden across the water and Caden eventually floated close enough to him he could grab him. Caden stayed in that water for about 45 min before Scotty got him back. He said he felt terrible for letting him go, but knew he had on the life jacket. It was the most scared I have ever been, I have never felt so desperate. I am so thankful that God was listening to our prayers and I am so thankful for the old man that was willing to help me. He was our angel yesterday. I am so much more thankful for my family today than I was yesterday. And the thought that my boys were gone was the worst feeling I have ever experienced. Anyways, they are both feeling better today, Scotty is a little sore though.

3 comments:

Allison said...

So glad everyone is ok. I can't even imagine! ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! That is so scary, I am so glad that they are OK. I can't even imagine how you were feeling!! Scotty is so brave!

Nic said...

That story made my stomach hurt. So glad everyone is ok!

"We can cry with hope, we can grieve with hope, because we believe with hope.."