Stranded Adrift In Open Sea With Nothing But A Life Jacket | Fight To Survive | Retold

Summary

Two best friends, Ken Henderson and Ed Cohen, embark on a fishing trip in the Texas Gulf but face a life-threatening ordeal when their boat sinks. Armed with raw courage, they endure freezing waters for over 30 hours, battling hypothermia and hallucinations. Ken swims for help, leaving Ed behind, a decision that haunts him. Despite Ken's heroic efforts, Ed succumbs to the cold. Ken is rescued and must come to terms with the loss, promising to take care of Ed's family as he mourns his best friend.

Takeaways

• 🎣 Ed Cohen and Ken Henderson, best friends and experienced outdoorsmen, embarked on a two-day fishing trip in the Texas Gulf.
• 🚤 Ken, a boat safety instructor and master diver, ensured their 30-foot sport fisher was well-equipped with safety gear before setting off.
• 🛑 During their trip, they faced a dire emergency when their boat started taking on water rapidly, and both engines failed, leaving them adrift.
• 🆘 Despite their mayday calls via cell phone and marine radio, they received no response and had to rely on their survival skills.
• 🧊 After the boat sank, they were left in the frigid Gulf waters with only life jackets and a half-filled bottle of diet cola.
• 🔄 The current swept them away from the oil rig, and they struggled against hypothermia and exhaustion while adrift for over 24 hours.
• 🤝 Ken, using his survival training, tried to keep both of them afloat by strapping extra life jackets on them for added buoyancy.
• 🌙 As night fell, they found solace in conversation, prayer, and shared body heat to combat the cold and maintain hope for rescue.
• 🚁 A helicopter passed overhead, but it was heading to a gas rig nearby, not to their location, adding to their sense of urgency.
• 🏊‍♂️ Ken made the difficult decision to swim for help after 27 hours in the water, leaving Ed behind due to his critical condition.
• 🛑 After a grueling seven-hour swim, Ken reached a gas rig, found a telephone, and contacted his wife, who alerted the Coast Guard.
• 🕊️ Despite Ken's efforts, Ed did not survive, and Ken faced the heart-wrenching task of comforting Ed's family and fulfilling his promise to Ed.

Q & A

What was the main activity planned by Ed Cohen and Ken Henderson for the day described in the script?

Ed Cohen and Ken Henderson planned a two-day fishing trip in the Texas Gulf on Ken's sport fisher boat.

What type of boat did Ken Henderson own, and what safety measures did he take?

Ken Henderson owned a 30-foot sport fisher boat. He ensured the boat was sound and fully equipped with safety gear such as extra life jackets, flares, charts, and a waterproof 50-caliber ammo can for emergency supplies.

What was the initial emergency situation that Ed and Ken faced while fishing?

The initial emergency was that their boat started taking on water rapidly, and the bilge pumps couldn't handle the sudden flood.

How did Ed and Ken attempt to handle the emergency of their boat sinking?

They tried to use the remaining engine to get back to shore, put out a mayday call on the marine radio, and eventually decided to abandon the boat and put on their life jackets.

What was the critical decision Ken had to make after they had been in the water for over 24 hours?

Ken had to make the critical decision to leave Ed behind and swim towards a gas rig to get help, as Ed was too weak to swim and they were both suffering from hypothermia.

What was the physical state of Ed and Ken after being in the water for an extended period?

Both Ed and Ken were suffering from severe hypothermia, hallucinations, and exhaustion, with their bodies failing and their survival chances dwindling.

How did Ken manage to reach an oil rig after leaving Ed behind?

Ken swam for several hours, enduring hypothermia and exhaustion, until he reached the oil rig where he found a telephone and was able to call for help.

What was the outcome for Ed after Ken left him to swim to the rig for help?

Ed did not survive. He was found by the Coast Guard, but despite their efforts, he did not make it.

How did Ken's wife, Sandy, play a crucial role in their rescue?

Sandy, being a 9-1-1 dispatcher, immediately contacted the Coast Guard with the platform's number when Ken called her from the rig, enabling a quick response to their location.

What was the emotional impact on Ken after losing his best friend Ed during this ordeal?

Ken was devastated and felt a deep sense of guilt and sorrow for not being able to save Ed. He also had to face the difficult task of informing Ed's family about his passing.

What promise did Ken make to Ed before he swam to the rig, and how did he fulfill it?

Ken promised Ed that the first one back on shore would get to kiss their babies for him. After Ken was rescued, he fulfilled this promise by giving Ed's daughters a kiss from their father.

Outlines

00:00

🛶 Fishing Trip Turns Tragic

The script begins with a dramatic recount of a fishing trip gone awry. Ed Cohen and Ken Henderson, best friends and experienced outdoorsmen, embark on a two-day fishing adventure in the Texas Gulf. Despite Ken's expertise as a boat safety instructor and their preparation with safety equipment, their boat starts taking on water and quickly sinks. The men find themselves fighting for survival in freezing waters, with their emergency gear lost with the boat. They face a dire situation, struggling against hypothermia and the relentless sea, with only their life jackets and a half-filled bottle of cola to aid them.

05:00

🆘 Mayday Unheeded: Adrift in the Gulf

As their boat sinks, Ed and Ken are left stranded in the Gulf of Mexico with no means of communication due to the loss of their marine radio. They attempt to send out a mayday call but receive no response. The men are now adrift, with the cold waters threatening their lives. Ken, using his survival training, ties himself to Ed for support and adds extra life jackets for buoyancy. As night falls and the temperature drops, they cling to hope, praying and talking to stay conscious, while hypothermia sets in and their chances of survival diminish.

10:01

🥶 Hypothermia and Hallucinations: A Desperate Struggle

The harsh conditions of the Gulf waters take a severe toll on Ed and Ken, with hypothermia causing hallucinations and physical deterioration. They devise a method to share body heat during the night, but their situation worsens as they approach the second day. Ken, in a state of delirium, decides to swim towards a distant oil rig for help, leaving Ed behind in a heartbreaking decision. Despite his weakened state, Ken's determination to save his friend drives him through the treacherous waters.

15:03

🚁 Rescue and Regret: A Solo Fight for Survival

After a grueling swim, Ken reaches an oil rig and manages to contact his wife, Sandy, who alerts the Coast Guard. He is transported to a Coast Guard station and joins the search for Ed. Tragically, Ed is found lifeless in the water. Ken is devastated, having failed to save his best friend. The narrative captures the immense guilt and sorrow Ken feels, as well as the relief of his family upon his return. The story ends with Ken fulfilling his promise to Ed, kissing Ed's daughters as a final act of love and closure.

20:04

🏥 Recovery and Remembrance: A Bittersweet Homecoming

The final paragraph details Ken's physical recovery and emotional journey after the tragic event. He is hospitalized and later released, only to face the difficult task of explaining the loss to Ed's family. Ken's daughters provide comfort, expressing understanding of their father's love for Ken and the passion they shared for the outdoors. The script concludes with a poignant scene where Ken, keeping his promise to Ed, kisses Ed's children, offering them a tangible connection to their lost father.

Keywords

💡Survival

Survival refers to the state of continuing to live or exist, especially in spite of difficult or dangerous circumstances. In the video's theme, survival is central as it tells the story of two friends, Ken and Ed, who face a life-threatening situation when their boat sinks and they are left stranded in the cold waters of the Texas Gulf. The narrative focuses on their struggle to stay alive against the odds, highlighting their courage and determination.

💡Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a medical condition that occurs when a person's body temperature drops below the normal range due to prolonged exposure to cold. In the context of the video, hypothermia is a critical threat to Ken and Ed's survival. As they spend hours in the frigid waters, their bodies are at risk of succumbing to the cold, which can lead to unconsciousness and death. The script describes how they battle the effects of hypothermia, with symptoms such as chattering teeth and violent shaking.

💡Mayday

A mayday is an emergency signal or message sent by a vessel or aircraft in distress, indicating that the situation is life-threatening. In the video, Ken and Ed issue a mayday call on their marine radio after their boat starts sinking. The term is used to illustrate the dire nature of their predicament and their desperate attempt to get help from any nearby vessels or authorities.

💡Life Jacket

A life jacket is a personal flotation device designed to keep a person afloat in water. In the video, life jackets play a crucial role in Ken and Ed's struggle for survival. After their boat sinks, they rely on life jackets for buoyancy, with Ken even adding extra jackets for more flotation. The script mentions how they put on life jackets as a first response to the sinking boat and how they use them to help stay afloat throughout their ordeal.

💡Delirium

Delirium is a state of confusion or disorientation, often accompanied by hallucinations, and can be caused by extreme physical stress or illness. In the video, both Ken and Ed experience delirium as a result of their prolonged exposure to the cold and exhaustion. The script describes instances where they begin to hallucinate, such as Ed seeing a cigarette in his mouth that isn't there, which underscores the severity of their condition.

💡Despair

Despair is a feeling of utter hopelessness or loss of confidence in a situation. The video portrays the emotional turmoil Ken and Ed face as they battle the elements and the creeping sense of hopelessness. The term is used to describe their psychological state when they realize the slim chances of rescue and the increasing likelihood of death.

💡Fishing

Fishing is the activity of catching fish, either for recreation or as a livelihood. In the video, fishing is the initial activity that Ken and Ed embark on before disaster strikes. Their trip is meant to be a leisurely fishing excursion, highlighting their friendship and shared passion for the outdoors. However, it quickly turns into a fight for survival when their boat sinks.

💡Best Friends

The term 'best friends' refers to individuals who have a very close and supportive relationship. In the video, Ken and Ed are described as best friends who enjoy outdoor activities together. Their bond is tested during the ordeal, as they rely on each other for emotional support and survival strategies. The script emphasizes their deep friendship, which is a key element in their determination to live.

💡Rescue

Rescue refers to the act of saving a person or animal from a dangerous or distressing situation. In the video, the concept of rescue is central to the narrative, as Ken and Ed are desperately trying to survive while hoping for rescue. Ken's eventual rescue is a pivotal moment in the story, as it represents a glimmer of hope in their dire situation.

💡Helm

The helm is the part of a ship or boat that consists of the wheel or tiller by which it is steered. In the video, Ken is mentioned as being at the helm when the boat starts sinking, indicating his role as the boat operator during the incident. The term is used to establish Ken's position on the boat and his initial attempts to manage the emergency.

💡Maritime Safety

Maritime safety refers to the measures taken to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of vessels and their crews at sea. The video script mentions Ken's background as a boat safety instructor and master diver, which underscores his preparedness and knowledge of safety measures. However, despite his expertise, they still face a life-threatening situation, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sea.

Highlights

Best friends out for a day's fishing, then disaster strikes as their boat starts taking on water rapidly.

Ed Cohen and Ken Henderson face a dire emergency as their boat's motors fail and they are stranded in the Gulf.

Ken's training as a boat safety instructor and master diver initially gives them confidence.

Despite having extra safety equipment, their emergency gear is trapped inside the sinking boat.

The two friends spend over 24 hours in frigid Gulf waters, battling hypothermia and dehydration.

Ken straps himself to Ed to keep them afloat and shares life jackets for added flotation.

As night falls, they keep each other awake and share body heat to survive the cold.

Ken's wife Sandy, a 9-1-1 dispatcher, begins to worry and eventually contacts the Coast Guard.

After more than 30 hours in the water, Ken reaches an oil rig and miraculously finds a working phone to call for help.

Ken makes the difficult decision to swim for help, leaving Ed behind in a desperate bid to save both their lives.

Ken's swim towards the rig fails due to strong currents, and he drifts farther out to sea.

Despite hallucinations and exhaustion, Ken continues to swim and pray for strength to save Ed.

Ken is eventually rescued, but tragically, Ed does not survive the ordeal.

Ken is haunted by the decision to leave his friend and vows to fulfill Ed's last wish to take care of his family.

Ed's family finds some solace in knowing he was doing what he loved with his best friend.

Transcripts

[Music]

the merciless

wild the heartless seas

when nature unleashes her cruelty

[Music]

could you survive these are the true

stories of outdoorsmen

confronted by death armed with raw

courage

and a will to live they are the ones who

beat the odds and return from their own

fight to survive

best friends out for a day's fishing

then disaster

got to get off this thing it's going

down plunging into a watery hell

just intensely cold they brave two days

in frigid waters

that should kill them in hours we need

to get somewhere

hypothermia is going to kill you and me

both

okay as body temperatures plummet they

face the ultimate decision

this was probably the hardest decision

i've ever made in my life

you might be able to catch up on some

redfish

oh that'd be good the second day of

spring 2012

best friends ed cohen and ken henderson

set out for two days of texas gulf

fishing

on ken's sport fisher their friendship

and will to live will soon be tested by

disaster

and tragedy ed was the best friend you

could really ever have

my wife would always call him her other

husband you know because

she's she's known him you know for i

guess about 15 years now as long as

she's known me

it didn't matter if they were hunting

fishing vacationing

just getting on the motorcycles and

taking off

they were just inseparable we've made

hunting trips to

south texas fished in a spring fed lake

and caught just

tons and tons of large mouth bass just

catching release just having a good old

time

we've been on ram hunts together he's

he's a fairly good shot too

he in fact he killed his ram with a 45

automatic pistol

today they've plotted a course to one of

their favorite fishing spots

the oil rigs off matagorda texas

ken's just bought a 30-foot sport fisher

although the boat's used ken's a boat

safety instructor

swift water rescue expert and master

diver

so he's made sure the craft is sound and

fully equipped

we got everything working right it had a

brand new icon marine radio in it top of

the line brief marine radio

side scan sonar with uh gps

went ahead and bought some extra safety

equipment i bought an extra five life

jackets besides the

seven i already had on board i had

flares charts

um everything the bellows

whistles lights i had everything in a 50

caliber ammo can that i kept stored in

the bow of the boat

and it was waterproof and of course if

anything ever happened it would float

feeling prepared for anything they set

off south at 7 30 in the morning

heading for the gulf's oil and gas rigs

we were both like a couple kids that

morning we were excited getting ready to

go fishing the first time since uh

december had been four months since we

hadn't been able to go fishing because

of the weather

i called my wife sandy on the phone and

i told her i said look we're gonna hit a

little farther out

i won't have any cell service out there

but don't let me call when i come in

this evening

[Music]

you know we were in no big hurry or our

big deal was just being out there

and hanging around together and talking

we got 70 feet of water man this ought

to be good

they find a likely spot at a deserted

platform

and drop their lines i hope we do like

we did last time

get some bulls out of here trees are

full suddenly

they see something's gone

we're seriously shooting the bull and he

looked in the back he goes hey you think

we'll turn them bilge pumps on

i said what do you mean i looked back

and i was like oh my god

for some reason they're taking on water

and the bilge pumps can't handle the

sudden flood we gotta get out of here

brother

all right let's go ken is a former law

enforcement officer

and both are marine veterans they're

used to facing emergency situations

and this is now a dire emergency where's

the water coming from

i said we got to go in and i said we

need to get this boat running see if we

can get some

some hydraulic action see if we can get

this water vacuumed out of this boat

we got about a hundred yards from the

rig we were tied

to and one of the motors died it's like

we're gonna have to limp in on one

engine i'm fixing them i'm fixing to go

ahead and put out a mayday

and we're still moving ken's boat is

foundering

with hundreds of gallons of seawater in

the hull and more

pouring in then the second motor dies

leaving them dead in the water i got on

my cell phone i hit 9-1-1

i got no signal too far out

picked up the marine radio and i may

they made a marine 16

mayday and i got no response because all

i was going to do was blurt out our

location

and you know and tell us that's when the

stress vessel going down

ken henderson and ed cohen are sinking

fast

marine 16 mayday an offshore catastrophe

leaves fishing buddies ken henderson and

ed cohen

scrambling in what would become an epic

fight for survival

i said get the life jackets out i put it

on

buckled it one time they never made this

one

we're going down i'm still hauling on

the radio for help come on brother

it's going down the boat is listing

badly to starboard

and water is rushing over the transom

it said we got to go we got to get off

this thing it's going down it's going to

roll over

yo i said go go get in the water so he

he jumped in um i was standing

on the driver's seat i let go and just

as i let go the

boat kind of violently popped straight

up and threw me off

you all right the boat just dropped

straight down there was about eight feet

of the bow sticking out

we both kind of looked at each other in

amaze but we were just like

what just happened this boat just sunk

from underneath us

in five minutes from the first time i

looked at my watch until we were in the

water was less than five minutes

we didn't have time to react as soon as

that water hits you in the head

see spots it was it was just intensely

cold

ken's instincts tell him the abandoned

wig is their best bet for a safe haven

and i started to swim and i look back at

edward and ed wasn't coming and i had

got about a hundred yards from him

and i was like no i'm not i'm not going

he's not going

the vital emergency gear ken had so

conscientiously packed onto the boat

is now trapped inside it and beyond

their reach

when it went down it took everything

with it it when the boat turned up

it all floated up inside the cabin so we

didn't have

our our flares we didn't have our

whistles our horns our flashlight

that was everything we needed to get

rescued with

adrift in a hostile sea can and ed only

have life jackets

and a half filled bottle of diet cola

the relentless current is sweeping them

away from the oil rig

[Music]

as a master diver trained in survival

techniques

ken straps himself to ed and puts more

life jackets on them for added flotation

and i actually put it over his head and

put it on over the top of his other one

i said is that better

keeping your head up out of the water

does that make you feel better oh much

better they are potentially just

hours away from unconsciousness and

death in the frigid gulf waters

when they cite a glimmer of hope in the

shape of another oil rig in the distance

ken wants them to swim towards the rig

and he said no no i think we need to

save our energy i said we need to get

somewhere hypothermia is going to going

to kill you and me both

he says no somebody will come along

they'll get i said okay all right we'll

hang tight

it has now been six hours in the water

and night is closing in

[Music]

the men begin to fear for their survival

but there's a source of hope

ken's wife sandy is a 9-1-1 dispatcher

he's confident she'll spring into action

basically i got mad

eventually because i hadn't heard from

him and that was very unusual

i probably stayed up until one o'clock

in the morning just waiting on the phone

to bring

and it of course never did the frigid

march night goes on

and the two friends have only the warmth

of words

we talked during the night we talked

about a lot of things we talked about

family we talked about how much we loved

each other

we prayed together we prayed we kind of

put our heads together and we'd pray

silently and

i i started out asking for

rescue i even prayed for a dolphin to

come by and give me a ride

to a rig or something he all he all he

kept saying was i just want to get home

and kiss my babies i just want to get

home and kiss my babies

fatigue and hypothermia are taking their

toll

but they find a way to get some warmth

and some rest

during the night we would take turns

grabbing each other by our life jackets

and

pulling pulling each other up on top of

us and then we'd wrap our legs around it

and kind of

get a little bit even though there's

this much life jackets between us we

could get some

a little bit of radiant body heat and

share it a little bit

the only time you could really sleep is

when you were on top of the other person

[Music]

the next morning you couldn't even work

up a could even work up a spit it was

getting hard to talk

our jaws were both sore from our teeth

chattering

and our muscles hurt from from just

violently shaking from the cold

without food or fresh water for almost

20 hours

they can only share sips of the diet

cola

[Music]

now the sign of advancing hypothermia

ed begins to hallucinate i looked over

and he pulled out a big lighter and said

what are you gonna do light a signal

flare or something i said no i'm gonna

light this cigarette

he said i got one dry cigarette i said

where he was right here in my mouth

i said brother you ain't got a cigarette

in your mouth and he reaches up and he

kind of

and you just see the disappointment roll

over his face because he was like man

i'm hallucinating

the two men's torments stretch into the

afternoon of the second day

and after 24 hours in the sea ken begins

to hallucinate too

ken and ed are swiftly sinking into

delirium

despair and certain death

[Music]

27 hours ago ken henderson and ed cohen

sport fishing boat

slid beneath the waters of the texas

gulf

the ocean temperatures are dragging them

mercilessly into hypothermia

then a glimmer of hope a helicopter

passes overhead

it's heading for a gas rig only miles

away

i realized that we were drifting by the

rig kind of caddy corner and if we swim

across

current we might be able to you know let

the current slingshot us into the rig

ken encourages his friend to swim

towards the rig

but ed's body is failing

he was mumbling and shaking and we'd be

having a conversation he closed his eyes

and i'd kind of shake him and he he wake

up i'm listening i'm listening

[Music]

ken feels it's urgent that they swim to

the rig ed

who's now critically hypothermic doesn't

have the strength

[Music]

ken unclips the tether that attaches

them

[Music]

i said ed you're going to have to help

me here he says i can't i just

i can't i can't do it anymore i just

can't do i can't move

i can't do anything ken doesn't want to

leave his friend

but he makes the ultimate survival

decision

and i said all right i said look here's

here's the deal i said i'm going to have

to go for help i'm going to have to try

to make that rig

and and i wrestle with that decision

in inside thinking you know

well if i miss the rig we'll both die

out here

if i make the rig then at least i can

get ed some help

he said i understand make sure the first

one back on shore gets to kiss them

babies for me

and i said all right buddy i'm out of

here i'm going for help and he goes all

right

i said i'll see you in a little bit i

will see you in a little bit i shook him

and told him that

i love you brother i took off and

um i started to swim for that rig and

i started to you know cry a little bit

knowing that

this was probably the hardest decision

i'd ever made in my life is

leaving my best friend to 20 something

years

alone not leaving him out there to

perish in the ocean

but leaving him alone in the ocean

i swam about 20 yards i looked over my

shoulder and i saw him at one time

rise in the waves could see him take his

hand and wipe the water out of his face

because the waves are still breaking on

us and still ice cold

and and then i went about another 20

yards i stopped turned around i couldn't

see him anymore

ken swims as hard as he can knowing that

two lives now ride on him

but he's no match for the current and is

swept past the rig

and farther into the bone-chilling gulf

i finally resolved myself

that this was it that uh i was just

gonna have to float here

and hope that somebody would find me and

then i could get back and they could

find it or they could find it

and they could get to me or whatever

along with his delirium and dehydration

ken now has to deal with the pain of

self-doubt

the cardinals saying i left a i left a

brother behind

and you never do that i just i was just

so

disappointed in my decision making at

that point

totally depleted by this futile swim ken

passes out from exhaustion

when ken awakens from semicoma it is

night

he's survived 30 hours in gulf waters

that should have killed him a day ago

exhausted and delirious ken can barely

believe it

when he sees a shining light of hope

when i rose up i saw a lit rig

in the distance up there and i guessed

it to be about four or five miles away

and i followed up to a star and i said

okay that start right there

so i i started swimming i stopped for a

few minutes when the cramps in my legs

and my arms got so bad

and i stopped and prayed i prayed for

the strength

that's all i wanted i said lord just

give me the strength to get ed help

and and i said you know i'm not i'm not

asking for much i just give me

give me a foot in the backside to keep

going

i don't i can't give up i can't quit

ken's hypothermia has reached a critical

stage and time is running out

for seven more hours he struggles

towards the rig

praying for his life and the survival of

his best friend

ken henderson is desperately swimming

towards a gas rig

hoping to save his life and the life of

his best friend

ed cohen the seven hour swim has cost

him the last of his strength

but finally he reaches the platform

he spots a ladder inside the structure i

actually i pulled with all my strength

and got my legs up on the bottom rung

but when i stood up it was like i wasn't

standing up

it was it was weird i just i couldn't

feel my legs very well

he climbs aboard and wanders into the

riggs galley

the crew is asleep but ken finds food

water and miraculously a telephone turn

around and looked and there was a

cordless phone on a charger

and i was like no i'm i'm hallucinating

there's no cordless phone on an oil rig

i wonder picked it up got a dial tone

and i called my home phone number

sandy answers and it's a voice she's

been desperate to hear

he was so hoarse that you couldn't

hardly understand you know anything that

he had to say

and he said i don't have but a minute

but i'm on an oil rig

and ed is still out there and he was

telling me what rig number he was on

sandy immediately phones the coast guard

and gives them the platform's number

the coast guard fixes the location

incredibly

ken is 54 miles from where his boat went

down

ken tries to warm up and praise for good

news about

ed

the next morning he's transported to a

coast guard station

and aids in their search well this is

where we have you picked up

i was pointing at rigs on charts and

everything else and i heard the marine

16 radio

in the background and i i heard that

somebody say that they had the fishermen

had found

what they believed to be ed's body

floating in the water

ed's pulse is weak and ken is rushed to

the hospital

but it didn't look good and i had pretty

much

resigned myself to the fact that you

know that it

it was you know kind of a shot of hope

but it was a shot of hope

and the lady came out and she said no

i'm sorry mr cohen didn't he didn't

survive

and i you know i kind of

kind of wilted i kind of fell out really

[Music]

know once i got my thoughts together i

said take me to him

and she said are you sure and i said yes

i'm positive take me to him

i uncovered his head and talked to him

for a minute apologized to him and

that i couldn't you know i couldn't get

him some help quicker

and then i promised him that i would you

know do what he asked me to do and take

care of the girls the way i've always

he's always told me

that he wanted me to

ed is gone the doctors now focus on

ken's condition

and insist on immediate hospitalization

i got on the road and probably broke

every speed limit

between conroe and matagorda just such a

relief

to see his face for that first time so i

stayed in the room with

him and slept in the bed with him and

you know there was a lot of teary

moments where he

still had a lot going through his mind

everything that had gone on it finally

hit me

and i knew that i was going to have to

go back and

explain to those three babies and two

grandbabies i took their daddy fishing

and didn't bring him home

first one back be sure to get

after three days ken is released he

knows there is one more thing to do for

ed

and then his phone rings it was actually

the oldest daughter

uncle ken are you home i said yes baby

i'm home can we come see you i said i

wouldn't i wouldn't keep you from it

all three of the girls they all came

over and they were you know when they

saw me they

you know they started they got upset and

they were crying

and and i uh i gave them all we all got

in a big circle and i hugged and

and you know and i told them i said i'm

i'm so sorry i wish i could have

you know brought the brought your daddy

home but um

and and ashley's like you know daddy was

doing what he loved to do with the

person he loved to do it with

and he probably wouldn't have had it any

other way you know i said we all line up

and they said what for i said i

made a promise to your daddy and i lined

all three of them up and gave them all

big kiss

i said that's from your daddy and i said

that was the last thing he told me

you