About 40 years ago, I was playing the part of a once a
month, weekend dad. We had just picked up my children in Jacksonville, and
drove a few miles to the Ramada Inn, and “set up shop” for the weekend. While
we were there, we took advantage of the pool.
As we sat by the pool, I noticed a grandfather and
grandmother, and their five or six year old grandson. The grandparents lounged
next to the pool while little “Jimmy” paddled around in it; all the while remaining
close to the edge.
From time to time, the young boy would dog paddle into
deeper water, and would begin to flounder. Each time his granddad would reach
out, grab his hand, and pull him into shallow water. I mused that Jimmy should
have learned his lesson by now, but not so.
Finally, when the old man had had just about enough, he
reached out, and grabbed little Jimmy, shoved him into grandma’s hands, and
exclaimed, “Here. He’s drowned!” Of course, he wasn’t.
And though by now that aged man has long since gone on to
his reward, and the little boy must be approaching 50, my wife and I have never
forgotten the grandfather’s frustration that day, and laugh each time we think
about it.
By William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending
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