by Dee Lamour

Created on: January 16, 2009

On a gorgeous day as the sun smiled warmly, Jennifer and I had made our way to the pool of a tropical beach resort in Barbados. We walked passed neatly lined lawn chairs as we chose our location by the end of the pool. Jennifer swam while I sunbathed. She appeared to be relaxed as she floated effortlessly on her back. I sat roasting and sipping on a daiquiri. Jennifer yelled, "Come on in Anne, I'll teach you how to float!" I remember thinking how easy it looked "Sure!" I yelled back.

With trepidation, I had slowly stepped down the stairs into the pool and made my way to Jennifer. She explained that I simply needed to kick my legs up and gently throw myself back. "Just like that, it's easy, let yourself go, you'll float!" she urged. I threw my legs up as instructed and leaned back. Immediately my body folded in half, and any attempts to hoist my body above the water fell short. I had found myself at the bottom of the pool and looked up at the wavy light above. My arms and legs flailed as I tried to regain my balance and stand. Jennifer encouraged through our laughter, "Try it again, you can do it!"

"No way!" I shouted. Jennifer extended comfort by offering to support me.

While I coughed up the remaining water in my lungs, I thought that it was certainly not as easy as it looked. I trembled when I asked Jennifer "You'll hold me up right?" Jennifer extended her arm out for me to rest on. I kicked my legs in the air, threw my body back, and again dropped like a rock to the bottom of the pool. I came to the surface. Embarrassed, I looked around, as a crowd was drawn by the commotion. With a couple more attempts that resulted in nothing more than frenzied splashing, I gave up. We stood there just staring at each other. Jennifer began laughing hysterically. I can still hear the laughter from the spectators. Although embarrassed, I could not help but laugh along with everyone. We took our bows and left the pool area. I asked myself, "Was Jennifer trying to drown me?" I quickly came to the realization that I simply do not float. I am definitely NOT going to try that again. I was amazed to learn that floating is not as easy as it looks. Certainly, it was NOT the relaxing experience I thought it would be. Although it was a little frightening at the time, it is one memory that Jennifer and I will continue to look back on and laugh at.

In closing, I can say with confidence that I tried very hard that day. Jennifer's encouragement is lasting, but still to this day, I sink like a rock.

Learn more about this author, Dee Lamour.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.