Would You Notice If Someone Was Drowning Right Next To You?

Recently, I heard a grown man tell a story of near-death when he was a young child at the community pool with his parents and family friends. Just like every other day, he dove in and tried to swim to the top. This time, he found himself in the midst of a sea of adults -- including his parents who were standing around talking and enjoying an afternoon of fun in the sun.

As they were busy conversing and laughing with one another, they weren't noticing that a child they all knew and loved was trying to get to the surface! As he fought through the crowd of adults, he started to lose strength, oxygen, and eventually began to black out, floating to the bottom.

If it wasn't for an alert lifeguard who was watching intently and who was responsible for doing a head count, the boy would have died in that very moment!

I've learned that, at times, this is just like life. Many people, including myself, have dove into the pool and are trying to get to the top to grab a little air. Based on circumstances, bad luck, or just LIFE, they are closer to the bottom of the pool than to the surface.

Over the last five years of battling cancer, I must admit that there have been a few moments when I didn't realize I was drowning at the bottom of the pool -- and then, all of the sudden, someone came along at the right time to rescue me by getting me to the surface for air.

Not sure if you've ever had an experience in life where someone you knew drowned right in front of you, but I have. In my 30+ years in the radio business, I'm sad to say that I could start a list… and every one of you could add a name or two to this list, and before we all knew it, one of us would say, "I wish I would have..."

My fight with cancer has taught me many things, but the one thing that keeps coming back over and over again is to look and see if the person right next to me needs a little air!

Reach out with comments, ideas, or your stories and photos to John Thomas:
Cell: (585) 469-0738 || JT@AllAccess.com
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