Celebrating life

Alicia’s golden locks of curly hair bounced as she ran to Jim Bell to give him a farewell hug before he headed into the waters at Obyan beach. At 70-years-old, Jim was the closest person to being her grandfather, since she’s never met her real grandfather on either side.

Jim was wearing a bright orange shirt that he’d purchased for the swim, and he threaded his belt through the laces of his shoes so they would ride piggyback with him across the channel. The shoes would be put on when it came time to cross the hazardous reef at Tinian and climb on the rocks. This was Jim’s third time to swim the channel, and his nonchalant manner prior to the swim belied the dangers he would face in the open ocean.

We watched Jim for 15 minutes while Alicia and her younger brother, Jason, played on the beach. His objective was to head to the east side of Tinian, in hopes that the current would carry him west through the channel toward the northeast side of the island. Nazario Borja had given Jim a tour of some of the possible landing sites earlier this week, and he would be waiting for Jim on Tinian to welcome him and give him a ride to Jim’s apartment.

After nine hours and all the possible locations were checked, Nazario called with the news that Jim was nowhere to be found. It was finally decided that additional assistance was needed, so Nazario made the call to authorities on Tinian. In the ensuing hours we would talk to DPS and the Coast Guard to provide what details we could offer.

We started a fast and prayed for his safety, knowing that in the darkness he would have greater trouble. It was difficult sleeping that night so we started writing this article, not knowing if it would be an accolade or a eulogy to his life of adventure. It was a restless night wondering if Jim ran into jellyfish, was attacked by a tiger shark, or just succumbed to the siren song of the ocean.

At 6:40, on Sunday morning, we woke up still wondering about the fate of our friend. Another call to the Coast Guard didn’t alleviate our concerns. After a helicopter search last night, another one was being dispatched along with a ship. Tinian Search and Rescue forces were also out scouring the waters in a massive search and rescue to find any sign of him.

At about 7:30 we called family in Colorado to let them know about Jim’s situation. We agreed that if anyone could survive, it was Jim; but after 22 hours in the water, hope was dwindling.

One person we talked to about Jim’s status commented that Jim had a “death wish,” but he could not have been further from the truth. Jim is one of those rare individuals who truly embraces life. Jim was participating in an extreme sport that only a few would even consider. Channel swimmers, mountain climbers, racecar drivers, and escape artists don’t obsess about death, but rather celebrate life with each new adventure. They have a purpose that compels them to do what ordinary mortals scoff or ridicule because of the inherent dangers.

We quoted Benjamin Elijah Mays a few weeks ago when he said: “The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn’t a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream.”

The treacherous Tinian channel would have to wait another day to claim Jim Bell. Almost 24 hours after he began his swim, we received a welcome call that Jim had been spotted about two miles north of Tinian and was still swimming toward the shore with an escort following him. Knowing Jim, he probably didn’t like having the escort because it wasn’t his style to have an easy lifeline in case of trouble.

It would take another two hours before James H. Bell would get his land legs to wade ashore near the blowholes on Tinian. It was quite an ordeal, but he has survived to now begin his next adventure to swim completely around Tinian.

Many will miss seeing Jim as a familiar figure walking with his quick step all around Saipan. We’ll miss his sense of humor and his cheery disposition. But, most of all we’re going to miss celebrating life with Jim each time he risked his life to accomplish one of his adventures. He is one of those rare individuals who has a “life wish” and has helped each of us to realize what a joy it is to be alive. We’ll miss you, Jim, but we know that life will be exciting wherever you call home.