Bob Rickard wrote:
Warren, I have not known what to say to you about your newborn fears & still
don't. I almost (or should have) drowned on the flooded Gasconade River in
SW Missouri in the early 70's, & I know those kind of fears first hand.
Unfortunately, memories of the details will never go away, nor will the sick
dreams that will grow from them. You are in my prayers, good friend.

I know the terror too, from about the same time and near the
same place. I was on the Current River when I had absolutely
no business being there. But for the grace of God and a damn
good canoe I'd have been just another dead teenager drowned
in a totally preventable canoeing accident. It's hard to
explain to my wife why I spend so much time polishing and waxing
that old 18 foot Grumman. I keep a mirror shine on that old
boat and tell her it's because it was a gift from my grandpa.

You know what they say, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
And in my case a whole lot wiser too.

--
Ken Fortenberry