Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: SWIM (07/21/22)
-
TITLE: Kids Ministry Swim | Previous Challenge Entry
By Corinne Smelker
07/28/22 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
I didn’t care that neighbors were poking their heads out windows and doors. I didn’t care that I was practically screaming at a man who under normal circumstances could throw me down with one arm. I was livid.
We had announced we were hosting a pool party at our home for the kids at our church. We had permission from the church, and the children’s pastors were on board. In the flyer we sent out we informed all parents that they were responsible for their kids’ safety and to plan accordingly.
Harry arrived with his three sons, Josh, a teenager, Jake and Joe, the six-year old. Our back garden, patio and pool quickly filled with the sound of 20 or so kids playing and swimming. We kept a close eye on things and mingled. It was not often that Nick and I got to meet the parents – we knew families based on the kids. If someone asked whether we knew so-and-so we had to ask who their kids were to make the connection, so getting to meet the parents socially was a welcome difference.
But we kept our eyes on the splashing noisy kids. Even though this was technically a church event, it was being held on our property. I noticed Josh on the shallow-end steps talking with our own teenagers, and glanced around to see where Jake and Joe were. Joe was in the deep end (five feet deep) bobbing up and then going under the water’s surface without splashing or making a noise. I turned back to answer a parent’s comment, when my daughter, Heather (a trained lifeguard), said, “Mom. I think Joe is struggling in the water.”
“Nah. He’s just playing,” I replied.
“Mom!” The urgency in her voice made me stop and take another look.
At that moment one of our sons dove into the deep end and pulled Joe out. He had sunk to the bottom of the pool and was limp in Gareth’s arms. Quickly another parent helped us pull Joe out and started CPR. Fortunately because of Heather’s eagle eye and Gareth’s swift plunge to retrieve Joe, he was revived within seconds, and only coughed up a small amount of water.
I scanned the parents for Harry. He was noticeably absent. “He went to his truck for a smoke,” Jake, the middle son, told me.
By the time I reached the truck I was a rage-filled ball of wrath. “How dare you leave your kids and come out and take a freaking smoke-break?”
“Hey! Come on! I told Joe to stay in the shallow end because he can’t swim.”
Through gritted teeth I quietly and menacingly said, “Your. Son. Cannot. Swim?”
“Well no, but I told Josh to keep an eye on him while I took a break.”
I grabbed him by the arm, pulling and shoving him back to our home. “You get to your son right now and don’t you EVER, and I mean EVER leave him in the pool by himself again. He almost drowned because a smoke break was more important than your son’s safety. And don’t you dare go after Josh for not keeping an eye on his brother! Do you know how many kids there are here? And why shouldn’t he be able to be a kid and enjoy himself too?”
Days later, when my temper (who am I kidding, my rage) had died down, I sat down with Harry and our children’s pastors, and we talked through everything. He was deeply repentant, and in the years since we have seen him change into a man who really loves and cares for his family.
And that day was also the last time he touched cigarettes!
********************************************************************
Drowning is not as depicted in movies and TV shows. It is often silent with no splashing. I mistook what I thought was a game of Marco Polo for a little boy drowning.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
A well written account of tragedy prevented.
Keep writing.
Congrats,
Blessings~