One year later: Still no sign of Sofia

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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But she did leave an impact.

This thread provides details for anyone interested. Lake Michigan takes another life

In brief, a year ago an 8 year old girl was blown far out on Lake Michigan in a kayak, and I set out to see if I could help her until rescue boats could arrive on the scene. But by the time I got to the kayak, she was gone without a trace. Then I ended up needing rescuing.

One year later, there’s still been no sign of Sofia. That’s not surprising, given the vastness and coldness of the lake. The search is long over. DNA samples have been collected from her family, to match against any remains which may be found one day.

Her family is said to be coping. They’re not from around here. They were visiting a business associate’s summer cottage near my home. They stayed around for a few weeks hoping to recover her body. The family thanked us all for the efforts we locals made, and for hospitality offered, and were very gracious about it. But they’ve no apparent desire to return to mark the anniversary, which is quite understandable.

There are still purple ribbons tied to some of the local trees and posts. They were put up at the time of the search. I’m frankly not sure what they symbolize (beyond her loss,) but we’re mostly letting time and weather knock them down, then picking them up for disposal.

The tragedy impacted the community. The family is muslim, and there had been quite a local controversy about a mosque opening in this deeply Calvinist area. One local church had been quite vehement in its opposition to that opening. But a member of that church was most proactive and welcoming in opening her home to the family during the tragedy, and inviting the local Imam over to help out. The mosque was approved, opened, and dedicated its playground to Sofia. ABC’s 20/20 did a story on Sofia’s loss and the controversy and its apparent resolution during a special episode about Islam in America. The arrival of the cameras and national TV journalists caused a brief local sensation.

I got a little recognition for my part. I received an award from the county Sheriff, given at their annual awards banquet. Separately I received a medal for Valor and certificate for Bravery, presented to me in the state capitol Assembly chambers by my penultimate boss, the Secretary of Corrections. He is a man I do respect highly. It was gratifying.

Also gratifying to me was the fact that I went unnoted by 20/20.

Personally, I’m still affected a bit. Frequently when I swim in the lake or walk the beach I wonder if I’m destined to one day encounter Sofia. I never did meet her in life. But it’s not a phobia or obsession, just a passing thought and a sadness that I wasn’t more effective. But no regrets, because I did my very best. She didn’t slip through my fingers. I never got close enough to even lay eyes on her, much less try to grasp her.

And I’m not ungrateful that I was given this particular test of character, the only one I’ve ever taken that convincingly showed me that, amidst my many character flaws, I actually do have courage.

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That lake is deep and immense, indeed. I was saddened to hear about the mosque opposition, and relieved when it went through.

You did good. I’m glad you got just the “right” level of recognition.

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I remember reading that thread. What a terrible thing to happen.

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I took several years before they found the diver who was lost near the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. The original theory was he got caught and tangled in the deep wreck he was diving for, which should have made it easy to find him, but it was years later. I don’t remember if his body washed up on shore or what. Eventually everything gets closure.

Does a waterlogged body eventually sink to the bottom or continue to float forever?

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I’ve thought about her over the year, and especially whenever I visit Lake Michigan.

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I remember that thread - I was glad we didn’t lose you, too, Qadgop.

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Some answers in this thread. Seems like there is another discussion of it around here but I don’t remember the thread title.

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She may show up. I was reading a book on serial murderer John Wayne Gacy and he dumped some of the bodies in the river and they would get caught on things and sometimes they would break free and wind up way downstate. They connected two people he killed to unidentified bodies in Peoria.

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Wow, that is incredible how much can change in a year! It is interesting how it seems to have changed you as well- as I recall you were in quite a shock afterward and you rightfully are very proud of yourself and your brave action. I wish it could have turned out better.

It also sounds like people learned a little bit about others’ humanity after taking the time to think about other people in a different light- it is unfortunate that it takes such an event to make people human.

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I’ve always admired you, Quadgop, for your intelligence, for your honesty in freely discussing the things that have happened to you, and now also for your bravery. You’re a good man.

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Isn’t it funny how people can change when they begin to see ‘other people’ instead of just ‘other’? It is a shame that it took something like this to cause that change in this case. Maybe it won’t, next time.

Qadgop, thank you for what you did. I’m glad you got the recognition you deserve. I’m also glad that recognition didn’t have to come posthumously.

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I too, remember the thread and applaud you Qadgop. It is a tragedy for the family and participants.

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Wow, a heroic tale to be sure. It’s unfortunate that you weren’t able to save her, of course, but I’m damn glad you tried.

How did you stumble out into that situation in the first place? Were you in a boat and fielded a distress call, or were you at lunch nearby and tried to swim out at the last place she was seen? (Or can someone just link me Qadgop’s original thread, please and thank you)

I grew up in the Indiana dunes–went to the Michigan City beach more times than I can count, as a kid. Went out with my dad and sister in a small motorboat tons of times while my mom stayed home and wrung her hands. And I still live very near the lake, though on the Illinois side now. I have a VERY healthy respect for what Lake Michigan is capable of. It’s a beautiful, crazy place. Sometimes it sucks :frowning:

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Psst: it’s in the OP.

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:smack:

Looks like I needs coffee too…

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My gosh, it’s been a year already? Astonishing.

We knew many good things about you already, QtM. That such bravery should be addede to the list surprised no one. You’ve always been what we like to call “a keeper.”