[near] drowning

Isidros with the Evenden Family
Ontario, Canada
1968


this morning, i remembered an incident during the summer of 1968 that could have turned tragic. our family was in ontario, canada visiting the family of aunt janice evenden, my mom's penpal from her high school days. one day, we went to lake ontario to swim. there was a deck that was at the edge of the lake and the rest of the kids were jumping from the deck into the lake. i had no idea the lake was so deep and i totally forgot that i really don't know how to swim!! when i jumped into the water, i instantly felt myself sinking to the bottom. i also remember thinking, "i'm going to die here!" i might have come up for air at least one time, but, after that, i really have NO recollection of how i was rescued.

maybe it was ruth, aunt janice's daughter, who saw my struggle and came to my rescue. to this day, i have NO idea how i made it back on to dry land. if i had died then, that would have been such a sad ending to our famiy's canadian vacation...

i'll have to ask my brother or sister if they remember this incident. and, if i ever find ruth evenden who became MY penpal for several years after that visit, i will also ask her if she remembers anything about that day. but, more than anything, i would really just like to thank that person for saving my life!