The Depth of Life Anonymous

Although I woke up that morning and most likely performed my usual routine, I cannot recall what was going through my mind. I can tell you for sure that I had no idea that day would end up altering the way I value life. Before the sun ruptured the stillness of the morning sky I was already in the car, asleep, as my parents were headed to a lake. On that nippy Saturday morning, my father and I were hoping to complete the testing that promised us our scuba diving licenses. We underwent the customary routine of donning our gear and followed the instructor carefully beneath the murky waters. At twelve, and the youngest of the group, I felt the need to prove my merit to the adults sneering at my incompetence. I heeded the instructor’s words carefully and followed closely behind him.

While I proceeded cautiously into the unfamiliar waters, the depth began to drastically increase whilst the temperature steadily declined. At certain points, the only sight I could muster was that of my hands and the fins of the person directly in front of me. Exhausting myself in this harsh terrain for some time, I realized my mask was unexpectedly filling with water. Under standard procedure, I began to purge the fluid to regain my ability to see and...