If you know me, you know that my beautiful husband of 29 years was drowned in a boating accident on November 25, 2006. You may also know a bit of what I've been going through. This blog is now going to be about what's going on so that I can keep friends updated.
The latest news is that at over 2 months since the drowning he has still not been recovered from the river. In fact at 2 months out, I still hadn't even received one phone call from the Clackamas County Search and Rescue department of the sheriff's office to inform me of what their ongoing efforts had been. I finally contacted them, and took a thank you note for their work, along with some cookies down to the CCS&R boathouse so that I could humanize this search and they would understand that they are looking for this wonderful man, this husband, father and friend and not just an anonymous body. I was assured that they had been going out about once a week, searching the surface for him. Even I was bright enough to realize that this just won't bring him home --- something more has to be done. I was also informed by the Deputy in charge of the search that he had created a Powerpoint presentation about the accident to present to high school kids about lifejacket use. He then asked offhandedly "I hope that was ok with you." I answered "of course, if it saves lives.".... and I meant that, but I also wanted to scream "you should have asked!!!!" The thing is, I can't be too confrontational or appear critical of them because I'm depending on these people to help find him. I'm reduced to begging with my homemade cookies to get someone to do something.... and maybe they are doing all they can. Maybe I just want someone to be angry with.
A couple days later I was doing a search on the internet -- drowning victim recovery --- I think was what I used for the google search, and I found out about a couple from Idaho that volunteer their time and equipment to do side scan sonar searches for drowning victims. I called them, told them my story on Tuesday and by Friday evening they had come all the way from Idaho to search for my husband. I still can't believe that there are still people in this world who are so good and so kind, and for nothing but their expenses will drive all that distance to help someone they've never met before. Not only have they given me the only hope I've had in the last 2 months, they've given me so much emotional support. They've been open and free with the hugs and patience to listen to me talk about my husband, to tell them how wonderful he was, to not shy away from my tears and grief. We have had no success in finding Rick, but at least I feel that I've done what I can. They've spent 4 days searching, but this river is deep and the current is fast. They've located one object of interest, but the depth there is about 85 feet, and the sheriff's divers don't go that deep. I'm waiting to hear if a commercial diver would be willing to go check out the location. I'm supposed to get a call from the deputy today letting me know, they said they had someone who had volunteered their services. If the answer from them is no, then I'll pursue it on my own. I have no idea how much it would cost to hire a diver, but that will be my next move. I've stood around wringing my hands for over 2 months now, I've got to take action. I know if I were left in that cold, heartless river that Rick would move heaven and earth to bring me home.
The latest news is that at over 2 months since the drowning he has still not been recovered from the river. In fact at 2 months out, I still hadn't even received one phone call from the Clackamas County Search and Rescue department of the sheriff's office to inform me of what their ongoing efforts had been. I finally contacted them, and took a thank you note for their work, along with some cookies down to the CCS&R boathouse so that I could humanize this search and they would understand that they are looking for this wonderful man, this husband, father and friend and not just an anonymous body. I was assured that they had been going out about once a week, searching the surface for him. Even I was bright enough to realize that this just won't bring him home --- something more has to be done. I was also informed by the Deputy in charge of the search that he had created a Powerpoint presentation about the accident to present to high school kids about lifejacket use. He then asked offhandedly "I hope that was ok with you." I answered "of course, if it saves lives.".... and I meant that, but I also wanted to scream "you should have asked!!!!" The thing is, I can't be too confrontational or appear critical of them because I'm depending on these people to help find him. I'm reduced to begging with my homemade cookies to get someone to do something.... and maybe they are doing all they can. Maybe I just want someone to be angry with.
A couple days later I was doing a search on the internet -- drowning victim recovery --- I think was what I used for the google search, and I found out about a couple from Idaho that volunteer their time and equipment to do side scan sonar searches for drowning victims. I called them, told them my story on Tuesday and by Friday evening they had come all the way from Idaho to search for my husband. I still can't believe that there are still people in this world who are so good and so kind, and for nothing but their expenses will drive all that distance to help someone they've never met before. Not only have they given me the only hope I've had in the last 2 months, they've given me so much emotional support. They've been open and free with the hugs and patience to listen to me talk about my husband, to tell them how wonderful he was, to not shy away from my tears and grief. We have had no success in finding Rick, but at least I feel that I've done what I can. They've spent 4 days searching, but this river is deep and the current is fast. They've located one object of interest, but the depth there is about 85 feet, and the sheriff's divers don't go that deep. I'm waiting to hear if a commercial diver would be willing to go check out the location. I'm supposed to get a call from the deputy today letting me know, they said they had someone who had volunteered their services. If the answer from them is no, then I'll pursue it on my own. I have no idea how much it would cost to hire a diver, but that will be my next move. I've stood around wringing my hands for over 2 months now, I've got to take action. I know if I were left in that cold, heartless river that Rick would move heaven and earth to bring me home.
posted by Joy at 8:54 AM
3 comments
