Daily Kos: The personal stories almost nobody knows, but should

Daily Kos: The personal stories almost nobody knows, but should: "The personal stories almost nobody knows, but should
by SusanHu
Sat Jan 01, 2005 at 07:05:48 PM PDT

Cliffs at Beverly Beach - Hosted by ImageShack.usTHE McKENZIE FAMILY

It was a glorious Easter vacation, despite the chill from the Pacific Ocean winds. The three boys -- ages 8, 7, and 6 -- had built sand castles, collected shells, and thrown sticks into the surf for their dog to fetch. The boys, their little sister, and parents had driven from their home in Tacoma, Wash. to Beverly Beach, just north of the coastal town of Newport, Oregon.

On Good Friday, the family of six made a snug home inside a small driftwood shelter on Beverly Beach. The boys nestled close to each other in their sleeping bags. The three-year-old girl cuddled with her mother, who lay next to the children's father. The dog had winnowed his way between the boys, who'd wrapped their arms around him.

The family hadn't felt closer in a long time. The deep darkness and the constancy of the lapping ocean waves lulled the four children and parents to sleep.

* SusanHu's diary :: ::
*

Around 11:30 PM, the mother and father awoke when a small wave penetrated their shelter and soaked their sleeping bags. Quickly, the parents got the children up, and began walking towards the cliff and pathway up to their car. The mother, a strong swimmer and Red Cross Senior Life Saver, held the hands of two of the shivering children. The father held on to the other two.

Suddenly, a second, devastating wave hit. The mother was thrown 400 yards up the beach, and knocked unconscious. The father was thrown against the cliff but managed to climb up the cliff to get help.

The four children were swept out to sea. Only one of the children's bodies was ever found. The family dog was also lost.

Vancouver Island, Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
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