How could something I used to enjoy so much have become so scary? I stood at the edge of something that in the past had brought me comfort and now brings me fear. The water was so still; it almost did not even seem like there was water in the pool. If my refection was any indication I was scared. I would never admit it to them…
In the
They all just jump in the deep end without a care in the world. They must have been doing it their whole lives! Stacy said her brother pushed her in when she was afraid to jump. She even got her phone wet. She got right back out and pushed him in! I really wish I had a brother. Or a sibling of any kind really. I wish I had someone to pick on me. At least then I could claim them as my friend…
I had come in early today to just jump in. In my mind, I played it over and over. I was just going to walk from the locker room to the edge and jump. Really easy: not even hard. My backup plan was flawless: I would just keep walking. I mean that works right? Just keep walking into the pool. So logical it only makes sense. I was actually proud I thought of that myself. I was too easy to work though. I stopped at the edge. I am so scared I can’t even cry.
Oh great! Now I can hear the locker room door opening. They are already here. What is even worse? I am standing on the edge too scared to jump and too scared to back up. If I back up I know I failed. So I can’t do that! What should I do?
My curiosity got the best of me. I had to turn around and see which if all of the girls have come to laugh at me. That is not at all who had walked out of the locker room. Wow, she must be the first lifeguard on duty! A girl! Like me! She looked perfect. She looked like an Olympian! She waved and smiled and started walking my way.
“You are one jump away from where you want to
She walked to my side an reached out a beautiful hand that is a completely different color than my own. At that moment I was no longer afraid. I was only happy. That was perfect. Somehow someone who I had never seen before had made me happy simply by offering a kind gesture.
“This is life,” She squeaked with a smile. “You get one step away from where you need to be, then most people turn away,” She smiled even bigger. “When that happens, it means you really want it” Now she took my hand and motioned to breathe deep. “I won’t live my life wondering what if,”
Neither would I. I jumped the most ungraceful jump of my life. I hit the water hard and it hurt. That pain was nothing to the pain of standing looking in wondering what if. I will not live my life wondering what if!
My fears of the deep end dried up quicker than all the water my cannonball jump left. I could hardly wait to do it again! I climbed out of that swimming pool with a whole new outlook on life. I did not even want to be in the shallow end, I wanted to be in the deep end!
Never Give up on Life. Never give up on L