Hello, the man who died was my father. He died from a massive heart attack, rather than by drowning as reported. I won't go into detail about how awful that day was, since words wouldn't suffice, and grief, even when shared, is a very singular experience. Instead, I want to say a little about the people on Pearl Island with us that day.
Everyone was wonderful. I can't emphasize that enough. The people who work on the island, the snorkeling crew, the people who drove the boats, and the other vacationers. There were several people with CPR, nursing, and medical experience, and they did everything they could to try to revive him. So many others sat with my mother and me and prayed with us and held our hands and just showered us with so much love and care. That day is seared into my heart and memory, but I cannot remember the trauma without also remembering and being intensely grateful to everyone with us that day.