Today I am gently reminded of miracle that happened at a resort pool with my youngest child, Tyler. It was Thanksgiving weekend, a cold, rainy November day. This is the kind of day where I am amazed by my ability (and good fortune) to locate swimsuits for everyone. Living on an island, we swim nearly every day of the summer, yet by fall swimming is a distant memory and the goggles, diving sticks, and other swim gear have long been stored away. On this day, we are invited to an indoor birthday party with our cousins from Kentucky. We are thrilled they organized the celebration around being with us and can’t think of a better activity for such a day. The only stress in getting out the door is the search for the float-ies. One was in the basement, but none are in the boys’ room, cubbies, pool bag, or toy chests, so on and on all we all look. There is much discussion explaining to Tyler that with two arms we need two float-ies, and aren’t we thankful Tyler doesn’t have three arms. Finally, minutes before the ferry my husband Jim locates one under God knows what, we are off! As it turns out we arrive at the car to find another one tucked in the back—but who knew? I laugh and I hope you do too.
So what is the miracle? Tyler nearly drowns. I am not a sideline sitting mom but I had missed this one. Together we all swim for two hours full of joy, lots of ball tossing, talking, cup and saucer playing, etc. Eventually we stop for fresh delivered pizza, cupcakes, and presents,…the works. The float-ies come off and towels go on. Break time turns into catch up time and then clean up time. My back is to the water engaged with the other adults. Indoor pools are filled with echoes and noise yet no real sound. I never hear the splash or even the cries for help. All I see is my eleven-year-old nephew Dylan delivering to me Tyler who is dripping and startled. Dylan has just scooped him from the deep end. Although I held and cuddled Tyler for the next thirty minutes, I honestly didn’t realize how scared he had been or how real the danger was until we returned home that evening after a long day of vaccines at the pediatrician, exploring toys with cousins, and numerous errands. Within seconds of greeting his father, Tyler announces how Dylan saved his life. It truly was a miracle. It was the kind of miracle that too often goes unnoticed. My heart breaks for the careful, loving, and nurturing parents who take endless precautions yet have lost children. There is no explanation for why one toddler climbs a bookshelf causing it to tumble and crush himself, or how window blinds can be deadly. The stories are endless and the pain unimaginable. I can only know that today I explode with thankfulness that my children are healthy. I know it is a gift not an accomplishment and it fills me with gratitude.
If this post is a blessing to you, please share it. Thank you!
So what is the miracle? Tyler nearly drowns. I am not a sideline sitting mom but I had missed this one. Together we all swim for two hours full of joy, lots of ball tossing, talking, cup and saucer playing, etc. Eventually we stop for fresh delivered pizza, cupcakes, and presents,…the works. The float-ies come off and towels go on. Break time turns into catch up time and then clean up time. My back is to the water engaged with the other adults. Indoor pools are filled with echoes and noise yet no real sound. I never hear the splash or even the cries for help. All I see is my eleven-year-old nephew Dylan delivering to me Tyler who is dripping and startled. Dylan has just scooped him from the deep end. Although I held and cuddled Tyler for the next thirty minutes, I honestly didn’t realize how scared he had been or how real the danger was until we returned home that evening after a long day of vaccines at the pediatrician, exploring toys with cousins, and numerous errands. Within seconds of greeting his father, Tyler announces how Dylan saved his life. It truly was a miracle. It was the kind of miracle that too often goes unnoticed. My heart breaks for the careful, loving, and nurturing parents who take endless precautions yet have lost children. There is no explanation for why one toddler climbs a bookshelf causing it to tumble and crush himself, or how window blinds can be deadly. The stories are endless and the pain unimaginable. I can only know that today I explode with thankfulness that my children are healthy. I know it is a gift not an accomplishment and it fills me with gratitude.
If this post is a blessing to you, please share it. Thank you!