Earlier this evening we hosted our second (is it now “annual”?) pool party and picnic for our neighbors. We don’t actually live in a ‘hood ourselves but the prior farmland in back of us became a nice subdivision about 5 years ago and as a result, I now have sidewalks and streets for walking and running and we’ve also made some wonderful friends that we might not have met otherwise.
We had about 25-30 people – the kids played in the pool, we grilled burgers and hot dogs and everyone brought great picnic food – we feasted, visited and watched the kids have fun. The parents were diligent about keeping a close eye on the kids who don’t know how to swim – they were either in the pool with them or the kids were wearing life jackets. The bigger kids who can swim stayed mainly in their end of the pool enjoying the diving board and watching out for each other. We’ve always been cognizant of our responsibilities as pool owners – but then rarely do we have more than 3-4 kids in the pool at one time.
Near the end of the evening, little Ford who is 4 1/2 decided he was through in the water and his dad let him take off his life jacket. No one is sure what happened shortly thereafter – he either jumped or fell into the pool but fortunately his dad and another friend both saw him go under and were quick to pull him out and he was immediately crying on the pool deck. I had run into the house to get the phone and call 911 but by time I returned to the deck, he was okay. Prayers were answered big time.
His mom held him while he cried and threw up (good sign), his big sister stood by ready to lend her support and the rest of us realized we had just witnessed a very powerful lesson. I am thankful that before we ate, Burl said a prayer asking for God to watch over us all – He was certainly watching over Ford when he went under the water.
His parents took him to ER just to be sure there was no water left in his lungs and then called to let us know he’s okay and to apologize – not that they need to – it was an accident and we all know it. We’ve told them to bring him back to swim as soon as he’s ready so he won’t be afraid. He’s a fearless young man, so full of life with an attitude that always brings a big smile to my face – we’re glad his work is not done on this earth. Thank you God for rescuing him and for making all of us more aware of how precious life is and how quickly it can slip away.
Whew! Thank goodness everything is ok. Safety is one of the prime reasons I’ll probably never own a pool. I just think they’re too dangerous. That and I don’t want teenagers pool-hopping late at night. Not that I ever did that. No. I read about it somewhere. Yeah, that’s right.
By: Tammy on August 6, 2007
at 11:11 am