Good Morning from New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island.
I am late with today’s posting, sorry.
The restaurant filled with customers, and we were short-staffed.
With the dining room under control now, I ran up to the office to finish the blog.
If you are reading my blog for the first time, you can go back and catch up through the previous weeks’ blog posts.
Chapter 7.
Pulling on the thread called life started 6 Saturdays ago.
I mentioned a Mary Maxim sweater I wore to my first official sales call in last week’s post.
I also remember mentioning the destination, New Glasgow. Today’s post is more about the sweater.
Remembering the sweater brought back a memory of a near-death experience I had wearing it.
John, an avid kayaker, asked me one December morning if I wanted to go kayaking. I said, "sure."
I love adventure.
We set the time and place to meet. North River Causeway with Charlottetown Harbour as the destination.
I dressed warmly, wearing blue jeans, heavy socks, sneakers, and my new Mary Maxim sweater with a moose on it.
The air was crisp, and the sky was gray. We settled into the kayaks. Scooting ourselves across the ice and into the open water was exciting. Once off the ice and into open water, we started to paddle.
The water was icy dark.
Five minutes later and five hundred feet from shore, I made a wrong move.
I was leaning to much to one side; it was too late, I could not upright the kayak.
Within a blink, I was in the cold saltwater dressed in a heavy wool sweater.
Ocean water freezes at a lower temperature than fresh water.
Freshwater freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Seawater freezes at about 28.4 degrees Fahrenheit because of the salt in it.
We now had more of an adventure to deal with than planned.
The tide was sea bound and took my empty kayak with it.
I looked at John and asked, "now, what do I do?"
He barked, "SWIM!"
Off I go, after swimming for what felt like forever, a sense of calm overcame me.
Then, I heard what sounded and felt like a jet engine turning off. I assume my organs were shutting down to conserve energy.
The pain in my hands and feet started. It was so intense. It felt like a thousand needles were driving through them.
John paddled a little in front of me. I asked him to stop. I swam towards him.
Thinking I was trying to get onto his kayak, he back paddled and away.
I said, "Stop, please rub my hands. I need time to think."
John was looking pretty worried.
Looking around again for my kayak, I could see it was long gone with the help of the tide’s current. I remember it looking a faint luminous green. The kind of fluorescent green you find on plastic keychains promoting one thing or another.
I looked at John and shouted, "what am I doing in here? Get out of my way."
Anger and adrenaline kicked in and increased with every stroke I took toward the shore.
Getting closer to shore, we came to the ice.
Saltwater ice, when forming, is different than freshwater ice. It can be kind of slushy and not hold any weight.
John could see I couldn't get onto the ice, as the water was still over my head.
"Move,” John shouted.
Paddling hard and lifting his weight at the right moment, he managed to get his kayak up onto the ice.
He was making a path for me to follow.
I dog paddled until my feet could touch the ocean floor.
When I could feel the solid ground under my feet, it was my turn.
"Move,” I said.
Walking towards the shore, chunks of ice fell from either side of my body.
Now I am out of the freezing water, standing on the side of the highway. With an urgent need for heat, I noticed a pizza shop across the road.
I also noticed cars were not stopping.
Once a break in the traffic revealed itself, I dashed across the road.
Coming to the building, I thought, I can’t go in the front door.
Finding the backdoor locked, I pounded on it. At first, the staff person waved me off. He had no idea who this crazed man was doing banging on the door. I kept knocking on the door. Finally, when he looked again, I hollered, “I fell in, I fell in!”
The door opened. I went straight for the pizza oven to get in. Opening the door and seeing a pizza, I thought, oh no, need to close the door or burn the bottom of the pizza.
Instead, I crawled underneath the oven. I was curling into fetal position when John came running in the front door. He screamed, “don’t let him do that; we need to keep him awake!”
A large man was waiting for his pizza and watching all this happening.
Once John had barked the order, the man put his hands on the counter and jumped over. He pulled me from beneath the oven, and put me in a forward-facing bear hug. While he held me in an upright position, he walked around the restaurant. banging my head against the faux wood-panelled wall to keep me awake.
Later that day, John told me I was in and out of consciousness at the time. When I was out, I would walk around with large eyes looking like I would hit someone. So they kept backing away until I would crumple. I don’t remember.
The RCMP arrived; while I was on the floor, he kept asking me, “what is your name? Where do you live?”
I answered between my shivering and chattering teeth.
“What is your name? Where do you live? He kept asking the same questions. I answered again and again and again. Finally, on the last one, I said, I have told YOU this already!
He said, “I am trying to keep you alive.”
Point taken.
The essence of foolishness is to be wise in your own eyes. - Tim Keller
He asked John, “how long was he in the water?” John replies, “12 minutes.”
The ambulance arrives, the attendants put me on a stretcher. With sharp scissors starts cutting off my sleeve to get the vitals. (I recognize the first responder response would be different today)
I don’t remember when the sweater came off or what happened to it.
The ambulance driver asked the RCMP officer how long I was in the water; I remember his response. “18 minutes,” I thought no, it was 12.
We arrived at the ambulatory emergency area, where several nurses were waiting. One was in charge. She asked the driver, “how long was he in the water?” The river responded, “22 minutes,” I thought no, it was 12.
She started the commands, including “Get his clothes off!”
Later they told me I was in and out of consciousness.
While removing my wet clothing, a nurse’s hand landed on one of my buttock cheeks. I was conscious enough to say, “Ahhhhh, that’s better!”
The head nurse said, “he’s going to be fine; wrap him up and put him over there; the doctor will be here shortly.”
Doctor arrived. I won’t use his language, but fair to say, it was not professional. He scolded me, and when finished, I replied.
“Doctor, I expect your kind of tone and questions later today from my mother. But If you are wondering how I am feeling, I can tell you I feel a lot better than when I came in.”
He turned and walked out.
Hours later, he returned. He picked up my chart. While signing it, spoke these words, “it wouldn’t have mattered to me if you came in a gray slab; you can go now.”
Over the next few days of recovery, I happened to do something I never did. I read the classifieds. There was a tiny ad that caught my eye.
Building for Sale. New Glasgow. Phone Number.
It took a few months to finish the sale, but we bought it.
Here is what it looked like the day we bought it.
And life was never the same.
With Love from Prince Edward Island,
Bruce + Millie
ps. Your Morning Smile
A guy shows up late for work.
The boss yells, "You should’ve been here at 8.30!"
He replies, "Why? What happened at 8.30?"
Comments
Amanda Dobbelsteyn said:
I like your blog and love the Preserve — thanks for sharing!
Amanda
August 07, 2021
Linda said:
What a story. The doctor should have been thrown in the ocean, but glad the nurse said you were going to be okay.
Love the joke. I have to remember that one. Thanks.
August 01, 2021
Sharon Lapointe said:
Great story, iI was swimming with you. 12 minutes.
July 28, 2021
Connie Rodgers said:
Such wonderful writing – I was with you every step of the way while reading this. Your business story is so inspiring and your story ‘at death’s door’ WOW – incredible…and BRRR!
July 27, 2021
Kathy said:
Another great story! And the building wow!
July 27, 2021
Lynda Feierabend said:
Wow, what an adventure. You made it for a reason and now we now what the reason is and that is how you became the man you are today and for the business that you built to serve others and for your generous help for those who are dying of cancer…………God Bless..
July 27, 2021
murdock morrison said:
Now that was worth every word in this amazing story. Also, we are glad you survived this ordeal as that was scary and glad you had your wits about you and bought the Preserve Company building as it is a favourite of so many people. What happened to the sweater? Murdock
July 25, 2021
Sue Skeffington said:
Wow Bruce! You had quite the vision in mind when you saw that building and it’s potential! And we are all the better for it!
July 25, 2021
Stephen Audette said:
Just finished reading your latest blog about your kayak mishap while eating my fresh-baked bread with your raspberry with champagne preserves slathered on top. Wow! Could life be any better?
July 25, 2021
Gordon Walker said:
Thanks for sharing Bruce. It’s always interesting.
July 24, 2021
Lynn said:
HI Bruce,
what a great story! I got more and more tense as I read it, wondering what would be next - even though I know you survived. I too made a mistake on a kayak, but the water wasn’t nearly as cold as in your experience. I just got really wet and ripped all the way hoe. How boring.
Too bad about the sweater though…. 8)
Thanks as always for your blog. Like others, I look forward to it every weekend.
Blessings on your week!
Lynn
P.S. Pretty amazing that you saw the potential in that building. I’d have been sold on the property alone.
July 24, 2021
Tati said:
Preserves I held my breath through part of that story!! I am so glad you survived to tell the tale. Looking forward to next week’s chapter…
July 24, 2021
Kay said:
What an exciting story!! So glad you survived & now pleasing so many with The Preserve Co. & wonderful products.
July 24, 2021
althea said:
this is a written ‘thumbs-up’. (don’t know how to put in the icon!) love and hugs as always.
July 24, 2021
Valarie LaBore said:
Bruce, you were meant for big things. And OMG, what an exciting and scary read!
Val
July 24, 2021
Elizabeth Anne Woolner said:
What a story! I am glad you survived! We love coming to the PEI Preserve Company every summer. My father who grew up in North Rustico remember the building as a place where they made cheese or butter. He worked at the Mayo Clinic for many years but always came back to his roots every summer. Now I get to do the same except for last year! We plan to come soon and will make a trip to your wonderful spot.
July 24, 2021
Lorna Rande said:
Bruce, I stand with many, I am sure, in deep gratitude for your survival that day! What a story! I am delighted for the small add, listing your property for sale in New Glasgow, at the end of a frightening day. Truly you were held in those big bear hug arms for life!!
July 24, 2021
judy Donovan Whitty said:
I had goose bumps reading that mis-adventure; nearly drowned when I was 14 trying to help another person, and my youngest brother drowned in ice water (ski doo too close to the edge of the of the ice; swam for 14 minutes but the tide pulled him back/down…divers found his body eventually which was a comfort to family; so Bruce, you were meant to live and do all the wonderful things you’ve done/do – tks for sharing and keep safe and well!1 judy in Ch’town (from Ingonish CB)
July 24, 2021
Gale said:
OMG what a harrowing experience. Thank goodness your friend kept his wits about him to guide you through.
July 24, 2021
Suzi said:
Oh wow! I kept reminding myself, that you did survive! And obviously, God’s angels were with you! The doctor’s comment about, “ In a gray slab”, does that mean dead? He was in much need of A Good Bedside Manner course, which is not too available these days. Or was he tired of treating people doing this type of dangerous stunts? I cannot help but wonder if he is one of your blog fans, now days. Wouldn’t that be a hoot? Glad you survived!
Hugs,
Suzi
P.S. Do you recall a near death experience of seeing Heaven?
July 24, 2021
Julie MacKenzie said:
Loved that story…even though it was frightening to hear what happened. Good thing everything worked out. It wasn’t your time to go. You had bigger plans in store for your life. Love your blog…Keep the stories coming. They are awesome! Look forward to your blog every weekend. 👍😊👏
July 24, 2021
Gillian keane said:
Wow-an eventful life indeed!
Hard to imagine that building with ‘character’ is now your beautiful building with a completely different ‘character’
July 24, 2021
Laurice Robinet said:
Wow, what a story. God was with you for sure.
July 24, 2021