My Son Drowned and I Thought I'd Lost Him, Then Everything Changed
I genuinely believed Ezra was gone. No longer did I see my vibrant, little boy. Instead, I saw a lifeless little body.
July 4th celebrations hold fond memories for many families, but for the author, it has become a somber occasion. The passing of her first husband Nick on July 8, 2019, left a lasting impact on her, especially as she was four months pregnant at the time. The July 4 weekend has only grown more poignant since that tragedy. On July 2, 2020, just a year after her husband's death, the author spent time with her grandparents and prepared for the upcoming holiday.
They had recently installed a pool in their backyard and had a ladder that could be removed. Sadly, someone left the ladder in the pool while the author and her grandmother sat on the porch discussing their plans. Two-year-old Ezra discovered the ladder and entered the water. When the author and her grandmother noticed their son was missing, they rushed towards the pool and found him at the bottom.
The author's grandmother, who had been teaching Ezra how to swim, began CPR immediately. Neighbors and family members quickly gathered, and a 911 call was made. Although Ezra had a faint pulse, the EMTs were somber, as if they already knew the outcome. The author prayed to Jesus for his safety as she waited for the ambulance. Upon arrival at the ER, Ezra was hooked up to monitoring devices, given a breathing tube and neck brace.
Doctors and nurses worked tirelessly to stabilize him. Eventually, all medical efforts were exhausted, and the author and her grandmother were left in the room with Ezra. A chaplain and their local church provided comfort through prayer, and a neighbor named Mendy entered the room, praying over Ezra. Miraculously, Ezra regained consciousness, sat up, and embraced his mother.
Despite the harrowing experience, Ezra was unharmed physically and mentally. The author, initially fearing severe brain damage, was overjoyed to see her son alive and well. They moved him to the ICU for close monitoring, where he woke up the next morning, ate breakfast, and wanted to play. Doctors performed various tests and scans, confirming Ezra's good health.
Some of the ICU nurses expressed that this was indeed a miracle. Ezra now enjoys swimming and is an avid swimmer. Though the author initially considered getting rid of the pool, she now feels grateful for the experience and the lessons it taught her.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written; read the original for the full account.
