The ocean is much stronger than me.  I proved this by paddling a bright yellow canoe joyfully out among little waves. When the waves grew large, I shouted with joy, splashing my bow down been swells.   I grew up with canoes, paddling the big waves of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.

Whoosh!  One big wave turned the canoe sideways.  Whoosh!  The second wave threw me into icy water.  No problem I thought, I am a strong swimmer.  I will point the canoe toward land and surf in.  I knew, soon there will be sand beneath my feet.   Only moments ago the water beneath my boat was only three feet deep.

But, the ocean is smarter than me.  The whirling waves tossed me about, I had little control over my destiny.  I hung on tight to the canoe, the life vest, the paddle and my glasses.   I’m still ok.  I told myself, I’ll keep redirecting the sunken bow toward shore, and let the waves lift me, pound me forward.  I’m ok.  But the ocean pulled me back, and pulled me south---not forward.  A powerful undertow.

Too late, I knew I was too far out to let go and swim to land.  I was twenty minutes in icy water, too cold to even know I was cold.  My mind focused on the essentials:  holding onto the canoe and the life-vest, and remembering to take a deep breath before each wave pulled me under.  I began to struggle to remain conscious.

I was very grateful to see the orange Coast Guard helicopter hover above me.

A big thank you to everyone who helped keep me alive!!