"More Miracles Coming" illuminated my email titles one morning before the New Year.  "What was the miracle?", I wondered.  I opened it with a click.  Much to my surprise, the miracle was a Family!  Actually, it was the "rest" of the Courtney Miracle Tomlinson Family! Her parents and little sister Tiffany, were joining them for a Happy New Year on Roatan Island. Courtney and her husband Kevin; had already acquired a Roatan Private Home Rental Cabana in our small beach side community for the Christmas Holiday.  They had brought with them several "adopted" family friends. I had already witnessed the unique bond within this group and with the additional family arriving, it was even more evident how special all these people were to each other.

 That Bond Led to an Amazing Event !

On New Years Day On Roatan Island It Happened.

Don, an adopted friend of the Miracle's, had nearly drowned at age 11 ! Dared by a group of boys to dive in a New Jersey lake within a posted "No Diving" area; Don took the first dive of his life. The boys had been playing "wolf" with the lifeguard by faking to drown. When the boys screamed that Don was not coming back up, the lifeguard ignored them. It soon became apparent that this was no joke. Don awoke to his chest being pounded and his mother's face full of panic. Sputtering brown "cedar water" was spewing from his mouth. Don was now terrified of water! He never attempted to go under water again. There would be no second dive for Don.

Until . . . One Day . . .New Years Day . . .

 

It happened!

Every day since Christmas, Don had been working to muster up the courage to not only swim in the deep water; but to snorkel in it as well!

Courtney's dad, Bob (a certified Roatan diving instructor), offered to teach Don how to snorkel Roatan.  Don was determined to do it at this point.  He carefully prepared. 

He listened to every detail of Bob's instructions.  Then, with no hesitation, he just   s l i p p e d  into the water off the Sundancer pier with his head down. We were all watching with great anticipation! 

He Breathed!                  He Kicked With His Flippers!              He Looked Through His Mask!

He Was Doing It . . . He Was Snorkeling Roatan Style!

A few minutes later, Don lifted his head to take a rest.  He then realized that he did not know how to "stop" snorkeling!  He began to sputter and struggle.  Courtney quickly told him to turn over onto his back and float!  Her smooth rhythmic reassuring voice continued to relax Don into a free float. From behind the mask, a slow smile emerged from his face.

Then, Bob joined him and guided him further out in the Caribbean to the coral reef.  Away he went, snorkeling with the poise of a veteran scuba diver.  Accomplishment and confidence replaced the terrifying fear of breathing water into his lungs.  As I watched him swim out of my camera range, I knew right before my eyes, that I had witnessed a REAL miracle!

Happy New Year !

Lynne Carpenter Millsaps - Roatan.ws

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Thousands of migrating snowbirds flocked south to Roatan to enjoy a different kind of “White Christmas” !  West Bay Beach (a top 10 beach of the world) sparkled with white sand in the full sunshine on Christmas Day.  Sunbathers, divers, snorkelers, sailors, and sand sculpture’s, shouted with glee as they played in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean.

Tinsel and bows were long cast aside, for this Christmas was special…the gift was outside!

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Where In The World?

Scuba Divers are coming from all over the world to experience this rustic, unspoiled, breath taking coral reef island.  Roatan Island is situated along The Great Western Barrier Reef off the coast of Honduras, which is the second largest reef in the world. The crystal clear waters of Roatan are particularly rich with diverse species in the Caribbean in terms of both coral and fish life.

The diving experience is unmatched anywhere in the world.  Why?  Roatan is still relatively unknown and has retained its natural, unspoiled look.  The Caribbean water is emerald green and perfectly clear with a 150 ft visibility range.  The coral formations, caves, magnificent walls, intricate labyrinths, and incredible diversity of marine life simply astounds the most experienced of divers.

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Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year
from Roatan.ws

Picture of the Year 2006 click here...

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