Time stood still
This past Sunday, the family went to my parents’ house. Junior and I were playing in the pool. There was this giant inflatable alligator that is about eight feet long and Junior loves to ride it. My folks also had those little weighted stick things that you throw in the pool, they sink, and you retrieve them. Junior thought it was big fun to throw them in and for me to get them. She threw two of them a bit too far, so I didn’t get them since she was on the edge of the pool and I wasn’t gonna leave her. Later, she was away from the pool by the porch (about eight feet) and she asks me to go get the two from the deep end. I tell her I will but that she needs to stay put. I swim over, dive down and grab the first one. I come out of the water and glance her way and she’s walking toward the pool and headed right for the big inflatable alligator. Before she got there, I start swimming her way. She attempts to jump on the alligator and it flips over. Did I mention she can’t swim? So, she goes under. I swam as fast as I could. I get there and she’s under the alligator. I pick up the alligator and she comes out with it. She had a death grip on the alligator. She managed to hold her breath and was OK, but a bit shaken.
The most amazing thing was that whole incident lasted maybe a second and a half. I’m no Olympic swimmer or anything, but it was only about ten feet distance to get there. And I probably covered that in something that could be measured in fractions. Despite that, when you’re living it, it seemed like forever. I could feel every individual muscle in my body moving. I could feel every individual drop of water hitting my face and back. But I could see nothing other than her kicking under water and I could hear nothing except the splash. It was the most focused on one thing I’ve ever been in my life. Time literally felt like it stopped.
She’s OK but didn’t want to get back in the pool again. And for the rest of the day, my wife commented on how sweet Junior was acting. And I joked that maybe having her life flash before her eyes calmed her down a bit.
Update: not sure how I closed comments. Must be all that reasoned discourse. They are open now.
August 7th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
[…] intentionally closed comments as a joke. However, I accidentally closed them on one post. Not sure how. And you can comment there now, if you like. I was wondering why all you people were […]
August 7th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
If Junior is old enough to walk she is old enough to learn drown proofing. check with your local pools or the Red Cross for info.
August 7th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
I thought maybe it was so personal you didn’t want comments. Glad Junior is fine. Joe is right, old enough to walk old enough to learn to swim. I think I was six when I learned. But I was also six when I first saw a pool. That pool reminds me of the movie Caddy Shack. Without the Baby Ruth incident.
August 8th, 2007 at 1:39 am
Been there, done that (as the little one)!
As a wee tot, (me age 3-4) there was a pool party. Parents off yakking with friends/hosts. lots of kids using the slide. Methinks that looks like fun. Someone comments “you can’t do this, you can’t swim”. Me “of course I can…” 5 seconds later I can’t reach the bottom and my arms are flailing about and having trouble breathing.
Finally my arm is grabbed and I’m hauled to safety. Lots of OMG’s and me wondering what all the todo is about. Eventually all is well and my dad takes me down the slide.
Now on the other side of the equation, My son doesn’t go near _any_ water unless I have eyes on.
Uncle – Good on ‘ya for the quick reactions. Be interesting to see in another 30-40 years if Junior recalls the incident. I bet you & Jr. will always share a closeness other offspring/grandoffspring won’t. This incident occurred before I was aware of “my age”, but I think it’s safe to assume LBJ was prez at the time. It’s one of the few early life incidents in my memory.
August 8th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Same here a couple of weeks back. We were fishing off the end of a short boat dock, eating hotdogs and burgers. My 2yo little’un was sitting behind me eating and I think he decided to go get the napkin that had blown off his plate into the water.
I hear a splash, turn around and don’t see him anymore. Dived to the edge of the dock and looked down into the murky water and I could just make out the top of his head and one arm which I grab and yank.
Out he comes, and I tip him upside down, ready to start whatever is neccessary, and he is just fine – It seems he just held his breath – and was not bothered one bit about the whole ordeal.
He’s had a bit of swimming in a neighbors pool before and done a few dunks – maybe it helped – he’s had a lot more since.
It sure gets the adrenalin going though and those 5 seconds are autopilot for sure.
Glad things worked out for you too – must be hell for those parents that are close but don’t notice until it is too late.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Glad she is ok!
August 8th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Now you truly know fear. May you never be that scared again. I am glad you are not one who freezes from fear.
Kiss her on the top of her head for me and teach her to swim. Heightened awareness of that nature is never welcome, but thank God for it when it is necessary.
August 8th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Oh yeah, something happens to the kid and amazing things occur in your physical abilities.
Even when you mind is going “What?!?”