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The Drowning & Diving4/7/2023 Daphnis (m), an accomplished musician and my former peer from public and half of high school, resided in a dwelling on 2nd Avenue adjacent to Nereus (m). Born in the same year as myself, he had a younger sister named Ione (f), who developed into a self-employed author and pursued education and employment in the fields of conservation and natural resources.
Daphnis maintained close friendships with Albion and Hati, and on the last day of March Break in 1987, he engaged in recreational activities with them at Chesley Centennial Park (currently referred to as Chesley Community Park, as historical recognition because liberal Canadians hate recognizing and remembering history). During this time, I was contemplating whether to embark on a final bicycle ride with Iapetus prior to the next day's school commencement, but ultimately opted to propose a game of Double Monopoly. This decision may have potentially saved my life, or alternatively resulted in the loss of Daphnis'. The events of that fateful day continue to haunt me, and though I am aware that speculation regarding alternate outcomes bears no significance, the experience remains ingrained within my psyche even after 36 years. Our board game concluded around 5:30pm, prompting Iapetus to depart for dinner and to prepare for school the following day. Roughly thirty minutes later, the first emergency vehicle raced towards the park, equipped with lights and sirens. Initially, my parents and I assumed that an automobile had submerged in the river, as searchlights were scanning the west and south banks near the former boat launch. By approximately 7:30pm, my father and I arrived near the ambulance stationed at the main intersection adjacent to the river. A small gathering of people had congregated at the location, and shortly thereafter, the EMS workers carried a stretcher into the ambulance, which gradually departed down the park road towards the hospital. The absence of a siren indicated that the individual had unfortunately passed away. Tragically, Daphnis had fallen through the ice and remained submerged for over seventy minutes before being discovered amongst the frozen water. He was only fifteen years of age. The following day at school, I learned that Hati had run towards downtown, approximately 500 meters away, to seek assistance. In contrast, Albion had also fallen through the ice but managed to reach the shore and seek aid at the Arena, located about 325 meters away in the opposite direction of downtown. Considering the frequency with which I visited the park to ride my bike, I could have been a victim of the same incident. Had I done so, I would have encountered Daphnis and his friends, and potentially remained in the area for an extended period. However, I am uncertain as to whether I possessed the acumen to avoid the treacherous ice. Several weeks after the occurrence, I inadvertently stepped on the ice of the kiddie pool, causing it to crack and my footing to falter. Though I ultimately saved myself by gripping the cement edging around the pool, the incident left a lasting impression. Approximately a year later, I found myself at the swimming hole with my cousins, stepping onto the ice before it gave way and leaving me adrift. Although the water was not proximate to the ice in this instance, I was petrified and relied on arm paddling to reach the shore, while my cousins found the occurrence amusing. Albion obtained assistance from individuals attending a curling event to alert rescue services. A public memorial service was held for Daphnis at the Geneva Presbyterian Church, which was constructed in 1885. The majority of the high school attended the service, with the grade 12/13 graduation class accounting for approximately 55% of the school in 1989. The tragic events that took place on that fateful day in March 1987 left a deep impact on the community, and especially on those who knew Daphnis. His musical talents and jovial personality had endeared him to many, and his untimely death was a shock to everyone who knew him. As the years passed, the memories of that day may have faded, but for those who were there, the experience remained etched in their minds forever. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of safety and caution, especially when dealing with unpredictable natural elements. It is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, as the community came together to mourn and support each other in the aftermath of the tragedy. Despite the pain and grief, life continued, and the memories of Daphnis and his legacy live on through those who knew him. As for the narrator, the events of that day and the years that followed had a profound effect on their life. The memories and "what-ifs" still linger, a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. In the end, the story of Daphnis serves as a poignant reminder of the value of life, the power of community, and the need for caution and safety in all our endeavors.
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