As a child I never knew how to swim. Wait, this should say most of my life I have never known how to swim. About two years ago, I decided it was time for me to learn. I had no idea what I had signed up to do. Rather, my personal instructor had no idea what she signed up to do.

I remember standing in the 4 ft pool terrified.

Okay, I know what you are thinking Optimistic Mom has to be taller than 4 ft. Well, guess what! You are correct!

Now that we have that out of the way. I thought I was hopeless, it took what seems liked months to learn to swim……. I just can’t lie to my dedicated readers, IT WAS MONTHS!

I spent a lot of time in the indoor pool and it was cold. Did I fail to mention, it was winter in Northeast when I started the lessons?

We used the kick board, flotation devices, flippers, and anything else that would float. And yes, I wore swim goggles, and a cap. No, the water in my ears and nose didn’t really bother me. No, it wasn’t the gallon of water I drank at every lesson, and almost coughing up a lung.

I was AFRAID! UNTIL……….. one day I added up all the lessons multipled by the dollars charged and was in disbelief!

So, that next lesson I got in that pool and guess what, I began to swim. The fear factor was no longer the issue, it was overcome by my budget crisis.

Now let’s fast forward to why you are reading this post. Near Drowning, right?

By this time I am an official swimmer, but I want to be a diver. Don’t laugh yet. So we head over to the 13ft pool. I said 13 ft! I knew about treading water, and had been taught about how to dive in and get back to the top, etc……

Here we go!

I jump in, start treading before I get back to the top of the water. Next is how the conversation with myself goes.

Why am I not moving, Why am I still under the water? Okay, something is not right, this is not working!!


OH my GOD!!!!!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!! Don’t Be Stupid NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU!

I am in full blown PANIC! Now, I am reaching for help as if I am climbing a wall.

I remember thinking, my Instructor will come she has always jumped in if I needed her and even when I didn’t. I remember when I could no longer hold my breathe and had no choice but to start breathing in water. It seemed like an eternity……..

Maybe she isn’t coming………..

About this time, I saw her legs pierce through the water. I don’t really remember much from that moment to the moment my head broke the water surface.

Water was pouring from my mouth and nose. The Instructor asks if I am okay. I nod yes and swim back to the wall and get out.

I glance over and she is sitting pale as a ghost. I go over and apologize for scaring her. She asks do you want to end for the day?

I reply, No, I paid for an hour. I’m getting back in.

Readers: Do you know how to swim? Despite my story above, it is one of the greatest things that I have ever done. I encourage people of all ages to learn to swim. It is awesome to watch my son in the pool and know if he needs me I am only a dive away. (Well, right now he is in the shallow end…..lol)

This post was inspired by Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop Prompts Topic: Bad Day.