Did you learn to swim?
If so, how did you learn to swim?
It seems as if I have always known how. But I know that can’t be true.
As a very young child, I can remember swimming at the pond at my Granny’s house. I can remember swimming in the pond of the neighbor who lived across the road from us. Their little girl and I were best of friends and we spent many hours in that dirty, muddy pond during the summertime.
I remember many trips to Tillatoba Lake, whether it was just for fishing, swimming or a family camping trip, where we were all running down the short little boat dock and jumping into the murky water.
There have been many trips to Long Branch on Enid Lake and to Grenada Lake, and just as many times where I have plunged into ponds at a relative’s place or even the pond my dad built when we were kids.
My dad was a great swimmer. My mom, on the other hand, was only a “doggie paddler.” She kinda floated and bobbed around and when she needed to get somewhere she just kind of doggie paddled her way there.
My brothers, sister and I never had any formal swimming lessons. I remember my dad holding us, and talking firmly to us that we needed to reach for the water, pull it back to us and kick our feet. Then he would kindly toss us a little bit and yell “Swim or drown!”
This is definitely the old school way of swimming lessons. And at the time, it seemed he was so very far away after he had tossed us, when in all reality he could have reached out and taken our hand. But he didn’t, and all five of us took to the water like ducks.
I can remember the first time I actually went swimming in a swimming pool with clear water. It was at my dad’s cousin’s home in Memphis. They had a grand swimming pool in their backyard complete with a twisty slide. It looked like paradise, and was a ton of fun.
In my older years now, my perspective on the unclear swimming waters has changed. I’m not much for sticking my feet in water where I can’t see what is swimming along beside me. There have been too many stories of alligators in nearby lakes and ponds. And, of course, there is always a chance one of those creepy no-neck slitherers could be in the water, too. No way ... no longer brave enough to swim in the unknown.
Many moons ago, Clay and I took a trip to the Bahamas with my brother. While there, we did a little beach snorkeling and I was scared out of the water by a large stingray and a sea snake.
Several years ago, we took a family beach trip and I did float around for a good while in the Gulf. Now, with all the videos on You-Tube and TikTok of people in the water with sharks swimming so very close to them, I think I will pass on that, too, even though the waters of Florida are fairly clear and the waters of the Bahamas are crystal clear.
I have resigned myself to the comfort of my own little pool in my backyard. The water is clear. It’s between two shade trees, so not too sunny. And other than highway noise (which there is a lot of lately), the only sounds are the birds chirping and the laughter of the grandchildren who have also taken to the water like ducks.
Three of the four of our grands are signed up for swimming lessons this summer. My own children took lessons numerous years ago from Angie Davis and both are excellent swimmers.
It’s important to learn to swim. It’s important to teach your children.
It’s just as important to me to enjoy the cool water during these hot summer months.
