Excellent article. Thanks for the link.

I have been in only one emergency situation in my life, fortunately, and I can testify that my mind did react in a very strange way.

My father died of a coronary March 13, 1993, during that freak snowstorm. He was 62 and built very strong. Never any indication of trouble. I was shovelling and he came out to help. Shortly afterward, he said he didn't feel well and went inside. My dad ALWAYS felt fine. Never sick. Me, I always have a headache.

Anyway, my mom opened the front door soon afterward and screamed for me. I instinctively knew what happened. And I also developed a split personality.

I ran inside and did what I could, CPR and all that, but it was a lost cause. Part of me knew he was already dead, but you have to try anyway.

And all the while I was there, part of my mind was in full disbelief, saying this couldn't be happening. Time seemed to slow down, almost to a standstill. It was a very spooky feeling. Also, even though I knew I was moving very quickly, it felt like I was stuck in molasses, and moving very slowly.

I have tried very hard to forget that day. It was the worst in my life. But it is seared into my brain.

On the other hand, the happiest day of my life, the day I got married, Dec. 28, 1991, I barely remember. I wasn't in control then, either. I had to dress properly, hit my marks, say my lines, and that was it. But my memories of that are foggy at best.

The human mind and memory is a very strange thing.

-- Craig