Funeral Expenses for Elijah Wyatt

Hello All,

My name is Rebecca Salazar, and while out on Belews Lake on Wednesday, a nightmare happened in the blink of an eye. It was not unusual for my family to make plans with Bernie and Ginger Bennett because our families had a bond that made us feel like family. Both my kids and their kids were eager to be able to spend all afternoon enjoying the lake on a hot sunny day. The lake was so calm, and the kids enjoyed seeing the fish since the lake was so clear. Elijah had been "looking for treasures" with my son in the water. They both even talked about all the fish they saw with their goggles. I made several comments to Ginger on how Elijah was such a good swimmer. We continued for the first few hours, having conversations about our kids, and Ginger even mentioned how Elijah wanted to join the Navy. Elijah was told several times that he needed to put on his life vest as the time passed. Elijah, the typical teenager, agreed to keep it near him and put his arm on it while floating on the water and even bobbing up and down while he was so amused with what treasure or fish he would see next in the lake. Everyone except Elijah decided to get out of the water because we all got hungry. It is right then when Ginger looks over at Elijah in the water and saw him wave his hands in the air; she made direct eye contact with him and yelled, "Elijah." It was normal to see him bobbing in the water because he had done it several times that day. However, this time was different. A mother knows, and she knew he was in trouble. She said, "Elijah is in trouble." Immediately Bernie and Joe jumped into the lake and tried to get to him. I myself do not know what is going on at this moment because I was with the younger kids, just talking away turned in the opposite direction. However, I immediately turned and jumped into the water to help when I heard the yells. Ginger at this point is on the phone with 911, and for about an hour, Bernie, Joe and I search for him. It seemed like it took forever for help to arrive, and it was several hours before they were able to get a robot in the water to spot him. Two divers were able to pull Elijah out of the water while Joe, Ginger and Bernie, and I sat watching all of this occur right in front of us. The hours leading up to the rescue gave me the most sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. I kept praying in my head over and over, Lord, please let him be playing a joke on us and be on the other side of the island. Lord, please help us find him. Lord, please do not call this search off until we have answers. I am giving details of what happened because I know this nightmare has played continuously in my head for the past couple of days, and it weighs heavy in my heart to know my close friend lost her son that day. Her kids lost a sibling, her husband lost a stepson, and his grandparents lost a grandchild. I have read Ginger's Facebook post at least 100 times, and I admire her faith in the lord. I can only hope that I will be as close to the lord as her one day. I have never done a go fund me before; however, I have felt it weigh heavy on my heart to do one not just to get people to help cover funeral expenses for Elijah, but to raise awareness. Even the best swimmers can get a cramp or get tired while swimming. I beg of you all to make sure to have a life vest on while in deep water and be sure to take several breaks. Yesterday we went to their house to check on them on the way home; my daughter's words broke my heart even more. My 5-year-old daughter said mom, I told Eva (Elijah's sister) that I am sorry my dad was not able to save her brother. God bless everyone, and hold your family close to you tonight because tomorrow is never promised. As Ginger mentioned in her Facebook post, God entrusts us with his children, and we have to trust his plan for all of us even through the pain and grieving process. All money raised will go directly to Ginger Bennett to cover funeral expenses.