One of my most memorable lifeguard rescues in LA always leads me to question Death’s intentions.
I was working a slow beach day one summer when a family with two sons occupied my area.
These two young men had the whole beach to themselves…how exciting for them!
I walked out of my tower to warn these young men that the jetty to the left of my tower is off limits due to strong currents that would pull them into the rocks and happily said they could play anywhere to the right side of my tower.
A simple nod was given and they were off!
As I walked back to my tower and sat in my chair, I saw the two young men get caught in a rip current and a rush of adrenaline hit me as I jumped up from my chair and ran out for the rescue.
Fortunately for the older brother, he was able to grab his footing on the ocean floor and walk out of the current.
Unfortunately for the younger brother, his boogey board sailed him across the current and he was heading for the rocky jetty.
I swam out to the boogey boarding bro and caught him just in time before he smacked against the rocks.
As I swam to pull him out of the current, we ended up in a pocket of non moving water.
The current was pulling us in with the same energy I was exerting trying to get out.
I was getting exhausted, anxious and worried that I might not be able to fight this current.
It was then in my moment of panic I felt it.
A tug on my ankles.
I felt as if the current was trying to pull me down with intent and assuring that I wasn’t going to make this rescue.
I felt DEATH.
In that same moment I told the young lad with a calm yet firm tone to start kicking his feet to help me so we can make it to shore.
He started kicking.
Keeping my composure I stated that his kicking was really great but in the inside I was horrified that this could be a situation where we both might not make it.
After about a gruesome couple minutes fighting the current, we finally broke free from the current and headed to the shore.
I left with a smile trying to hide the sheer panic inside while telling the young men to find their family and take a break from the ocean for a bit.
I don’t know till this day if death was only playing a game or what their intention was…but I can only remember that grip and assurance of something else that is in the beyond.
