Out of Darkness Into the Light

"Dear God, please give me the strength to get out of here! Please, please be with me!" I carefully moved along the submerged bottom of the upside-down canoe. It was pointed toward the snow-covered bank, and I knew it was past time to swim. The swift February water was now acting as if there were no canoe in its way. I dove in and began swimming. All my actions seemed to be disjointed. I knew I had to swim; I knew how to swim, but my arms and legs were not following my directions! The cold penetrated me; movement was agonizingly slow in the fast current, and I couldn't see anything but frigid, dark water. I knew my arms and legs were not moving correctly! I was way too slow! Then...