The headline on January 14th propelled one of my most frightening fears to my mind.
When the Italian luxury ship, Costa Concordia, hit a large rock formation that tore its bottom and caused the ship to list onto its side I was instantaneously drawn back to the summer I turned six.
My parents, younger brother and I were experiencing a hot, sunny afternoon at an upstate New York creek. We set out early in the morning, and my father stopped at a gas station to fill the inner tube with air. It would be my first experience using an inner tube in the water. All the kids were using them: they floated on them, they climbed inside and kicked their feet. They were swimming without knowing how to swim, using the support of the tube.
It was a happy day; we were laughing, splashing and being silly. I thought all was going “swimmingly” as the current carried me deeper into the creek, into deep water.
The sides of the tube were slippery, and I slid down into the water. I hurtled downward without any control, until my feet felt the muddy bottom of the creek. As they touched the mud I used it as a spring board to push myself back up to the top. There I could gasp a fresh breath of air before being pulled down to the bottom again.
I was such a shy child that I didn’t even scream out for help.
This pattern continued a few times and I was becoming tired and frightened. Suddenly one woman in a group of chatting adults noticed me and asked, “Are you alright?” She reached over and pulled me up to the top, while she and her husband lifted me onto the shore. A flurry of action followed, people shouting all at once, my parents running to me.
That’s all I remember: slipping out of the tube, being sucked down into the depths of the creek, pushing up to the top, and a kind woman helping me stay on top.
I have been terrified of deep water ever since.
MorristownMemos 
Comments on: "RUBBER TUBING" (18)
You and me both, Ronnie. I have the exact same story only it happened to me when I was sixteen. I have tried to overcome my fear of water but just can’t do it (you notice in the story about our vacation there is no mention of me snorkeling). I am amazed at people who are relaxed in water and can swim like fish (my husband is that way). I made sure the children didn’t pick up my phobia, but it is a lost cause with me, and it all started with an inner tube. 😦
Yes, I noticed that you were working on your tan while your husband snorkeled. So you understand the kind of fear that stays with us no matter how old we get. Oh, well, how many of us love parading around
in bathing suits, anyway?
Ronnie
I can’t blame you. That must have been terrifying.
Probably the most terrifying I’ve ever had. Thanks for your comment and empathy.
Ronnie
I love this entry my friend and you are invited here
http://wp.me/P1Dwwo-jn
Thank you again, Jake.
RONNIE
You’ve inspired a post, for me. Another almost-drowning situation. Thanks Ronnie!
I read your blog story about that incident. Even when describing a frightening experience you write poetically. ‘Glad it worked out alright.
Ronnie
Sounds awful. Those are those traumatic moments that stay with us forever . . .
They really do. Thanks for understanding.
Ronnie
Your description was vivid. What a relief to be finally out of the water!!! Water scares me ,too. Still haven’t been able to learn to swim.
I didn’t know that, Mimi; so you go our in your husband’s boat knowing you can’t swim? You must have a lot of confidence in him.
Ronnie
Oh my goodness, Ronnie, what a terrifying experience! …and thank goodness for the angel that saved you.. 🙂
That angel was put near me that day.
Ronnie
Deep water is terrifying! When I was a child I was always afraid of something coming outbid the drain at the bottom of the pool. I’ve been trying to plan a cruise, and now this is making me nervous. Hopefully now that something’s happened they will make it even more safe? That’s what I’m telling myself anyway, haha
Hopefully we won’t let old fears keep us from enjoying life.
We planned a cruise even though I was frightened to go, and it was lovely. Good luck to you.
Ronnie
That is a scary experience. Life and death experiences always are. Mine are from the car wrecks I’ve had – I’m a magnet for idiots. Glad you are here to tell the tale.
You need to develop eyes all around your head.PLease be careful on the road, Red Toenails.
Ronnie