It was a bright and early morning when I woke up to the
sound of my alarm and my sister opening the curtains wide letting in a little
too much sunlight. I wanted desperately to turn the other way and sleep in a
few more minutes but even on vacation she was a stickler for time. So I rolled
out of bed reluctantly, I got dressed, and we headed for the days adventures;
snorkeling first on our list.
We got to the dock and after boarding instructions we
boarded the vessel that would take us to a near island with coral reefs.
Finally at our destination the boat anchored and we were handed our gear. So
flippers and all people one by one jumped into the vast ocean uninhibited. I
did too. I’d forgotten how rough the Pacific was. A greater part of World War
II had been fought here. Somehow the waters still reeked of vengeance.
Except I forgot I could not swim, and at that moment even
how to float. So I was instantly submerged by the undertow and the lapping of
the waves. I fought to catch a breath, and each time I was successful at
reaching the surface I gulped another ounce of water. Terribly frazzled and
still near the boat I caught a side rail and held for dear life. Meanwhile, my
sister, totally unaware this was happening was having her own issues with the
water and kept telling me she was not going to be able to do it. So even when
she looked over it at me, I smiled back, telling her not to be afraid.
She tried it for a minute or two, but panicked too and
unlike me gave up quickly and climbed up to the boat again. I on the other hand
had something to prove. Finally with a bruised ego and lungs full of water,
realizing I could not stay afloat by my own accord I asked her for a life
jacket. She disappeared and a minute later reappeared with one. I pulled myself
onto the wooden ledge of the boat and put it on. Successfully having done so, I
dove back to my feat. After reassuring my sister I was okay to go alone I swam
back into the ocean further and further away.
Later that day I got to thinking. We don’t always ask for
help. We don’t always like to admit we need it. In a world where you are
expected to fend for yourself, telling someone you don’t know how to swim seems
dire. But truth is that maybe we wouldn't take so many gulps of water if we
admitted a little life preserve is needed. Maybe we wouldn't face so many
mistakes on our own if we listened to instructions instead of disregarding
them.
That day I more than anything wanted to prove I could swim.
Except I can’t, I never learned how. Blame my parents; blame my geographical
upbringing that never put me near a body of water. I was just too cool for
school. Except those are the bare necessities of life! Right along with knowing
how to light a fire or how to flip tortillas without burning your hand!
The point is to be fully equipped for life you've got to
prepare. Sure no one needs to swim till surrounded by water, but eventually the
challenge will present itself. And if you find yourself ill-equipped what will
you do? And if you can’t fight the tide any longer, will you be too prideful to
ask for help?
This is it. Sink or swim. So let’s not pretend we didn't
read the sign that said “Lifeguard not on duty… Swim at your own risk.”
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