Your writing is superb ER and I'm glad to have you back. Perhaps that experience gave you the perspective you wouldn't have had otherwise, and you are able to blend you thoughts and emotion into colorful tales of the sea. Because you make us feel like we're there.

Thinking of these all-encompassing situations where your thoughts blend in with time and history reminded me of my first childbirth. I was determined to have my daughter naturally and breathe through the pain. (little did I know she was going to be 9 lbs. on my 115 lb frame). However, at 7 centimeters the doctor said there was no going back and I had to make my decision. I had been in labor 10 hours by then and the contractions were getting more powerful and were coming less than 10 minutes apart and I felt my whole world closing in on me. I went into the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror, and all of a sudden I saw myself as an Indian maiden squatting over a pile of leaves and I felt ONE with all the primitve women who had ever given birth.

When I re-entered my hospital room, I knew I was on the same road millions had done before me and there was nothing to be afraid of. It was a very empowering experience.