Too close to home…
26 Apr 2008 3 Comments
in sad times, sharks Tags: news, shark attack
I found out about the fatal shark attack in San Diego today when I got a phone call from a reporter at CBS wanting to get Aaron’s reaction to the whole thing. Apparently the reporter showed up with a news van at our apartment building this morning, but Aaron and I weren’t home.
I found out from her that 66-year-old Dave Martin was swimming 150 feet from shore, training for a triathalon, when he was attacked by a great white. Apparently the shark bit into both of his legs. There are so man similarities between his story and Aaron’s that it’s off-putting to say the least, like the distance and the area of attack. But something else she told me really got to me on a disturbing level. Apparently the great white bit into Dave Martin’s femoral artery causing him to bleed out rapidly and ultimately causing his death.
This picture tears me up inside in ways I can’t even begin to explain. This picture seriously could have been me 6 months ago. And believe me, it’s a nightmare that plays out in my head more often than I’d like to admit. Almost every night before I fall asleep I re-live the shark attack, and often times my mind takes me on the “what if it had been worse” journey. I would imagine there would have been a picture taken of me that looked a lot like this one. And every part of me wants to reach out to her and the other members of his family to tell them that I am soooo sorry. I know how shocked and scared and vulnerable and confused and angry they’re feeling. And it sucks. I’m sorry i can’t be more poetic than that right now. It just plain fucking sucks. Even with my loved one safe at home I still have nightmares and bouts of depression over the attack. I can’t even imagine what it will be like for his loved ones.
Well, that’s all I can take for right now. I just had to get this off my chest. Once again my heart goes out to Dave Martin and his family. He seemed like an amazing guy, and in fact, if you look into it, it seems that most shark attack victims are very special people.
Aloha there, I'm Megan Finley. I'm a 30-something girl, living in Los Angeles with that guy I married and our rescued pets. I work online (a LOT) for the 
Apr 26, 2008 @ 01:26:00
found you at swim at your own risk…so sorry to hear of your troubles and the current family’s. Boy, you’re brave…do you go in the ocean any more?
Apr 26, 2008 @ 01:33:00
aw! thanks for the support Kathie!!! It’s much appreciated.We haven’t gone in the ocean since the attack. But we’ve decided to get married in Maui this october, which will make it a year exactly since the attack there, and we have decided to go into the ocean together then to try and help us get over our fears and move on. It should be good for us. But I’ll admit it- I’m <><>terrified<><> and so is he.
Apr 26, 2008 @ 14:52:00
I didn’t realize how much you guys were still bothered by this. You cover it well! Now that I’ve seen Aaron, and know he’s okay, I have at times wondered why I freaked out so much when I read the email that he was attacked. NOW I remember…because at the time we DIDN’T know how bad it was or if he would be okay. Thanking God that he is okay and whole, and praying for that other family that wasn’t so fortunate!Hang in there!Love,M