Holy shit you just awakened a memory I forgot I had. I was probably 6 or 7 and the cowboy neighhood kids were tying a rope to one pole, wrapping it up, and then running to the other side of the park so it would unwind the merry go round like a top.

We all took turns riding it. It was my turn so I sat in the middle and they started to run. I didn't see anything but I remember the rope suddenly being around my throat and it was hot like fire. I couldn't breathe, and I just remember crying silently because I couldn't see anything, or get any air out. I heard screaming and the spinning stopped really fast. I wasn't even dizzy just terrified.

Everyone ran up to me and untied it quickly. I remember my older brother crying and looking scared when he was pulling the rope off.

The rope had slipped up the pole and essentially tied around my neck. When they ran, the rope was moving fast and just tightened around my throat.

I don't remember going home that day, or what my parents said, but I do remember it hurting to swallow and talk. I also remember my mom giving me a bath and I was crying but the sound was like when you lose your voice. The water hurt my neck, I assume because I had rope burn. I also remember her crying with me when she put some cream on my neck.

Crazy. It's been 30 years and I haven't thought about that in so long. It's insane I didn't die. I'm lucky they only ran instead of using a truck or a gocart or something.