Chain Up

[304 words] Imagine being caught up in a rip current and being helplessly swept away into the sea. Imagine nobody being around to help bring you to safety. That’s not what happened a few days ago on a Florida beach. While several members of a family were caught up in a very strong rip current in 15 feet of water, there actually were people around to help them to safety. Initially, two young boys were caught in the current. Their mother, Roberta Ursrey, saw them struggling, and against the advice of several onlookers, decided to swim out and try to save them. Once she was caught up in the current herself, other family members attempted to rescue the three. That’s what family members do. But they were swept into the current, as well. Then something remarkable happened. Over 80 people linked themselves together to form a football-field-length chain in the…