Going Off the Deep End

Posted byAbPosted inADHD, adoption, FASD, gratitude, growth mindset, Parenting, Resiliency, SwimmingTags:, , , , , , , , ,

T loses control of his emotions on a regular basis, but today, it was for the best and proudest reasons.

The outdoor city pool opened this weekend and it’s a summer tradition for us to spend time there.

It’s a small plain pool but it is special place for us, because it saved our pandemic summer in 2020, when there was not much to do. We were there 4-5 days a week.

Four summers later, while we don’t go as often, we check it out every weekend.

T started swim lessons two years ago and it is an activity that he enjoys and that he can focus on.

Last September, T attempted the deep end test for the first time and he failed. It wasn’t even close.

I told him to not be discouraged. It means he needs to practice more, keep at it and try again.

T at the pool in the pandemic summer of 2020.

Nine months later, it was his shot at redemption.

T said he wanted to practice first and he swam two laps effortlessly.

I told him he did great. But he wanted to practice one more time – and did it again.

“Ok, I’m ready,” he said. “Can you tell the lifeguard?”

I told him that it was his test, so he had to call for the lifeguard. And so he did.

A group of older kids gathered in the middle of the pool and I was worried T would get intimidated.

But he began his test.

Lap 1 done without a sweat.

As he swam back, an older kid moved, unintentionally, in his way and T bumped into him.

I worried it would throw him off. But he kept on swimming and made it to back to the lifeguard.

“Did I pass?” He asked.

“You sure did,” the lifeguard replied.

T and I both screamed so loudly and jumped up and down then gave each other a big hug.

As the lifeguard put a sticker on T’s wristband, to indicate he passed, I apologized, “Sorry, I’m just an over proud parent.” 😂

“It’s all good,” the lifeguard said with a smirk.

How quickly these summers and time fly by.

“Are you ready?” I asked T.

I could see the excitement in his eyes as we swam towards the blue rope.

After all these years, he could finally venture to the other side.

As we entered the deep end, Bee Gees’ “Staying Alive” came on the stereo. How appropriate. 😂

There were less people in the deep end and I watched with absolute glee in my heart as T had such a blast exploring this new part of the pool and swam to the deepest part, which must’ve seemed massive to a small kid.

It’s tradition to take T to McDonald’s after our swim and to celebrate his accomplishment, I also picked up dinner there for the hubby and I.

As we drove home, T asked, “Are you proud of me?”

I smiled at him from the rear view mirror and said, “I am so so proud.”

32 thoughts on “Going Off the Deep End”

  8. Oh, what a great achievement Ab. Right up there with Rocky running up the Philadelphia Museum steps; the kids from Hickory High School winning the Indiana State High School Championship in Hoosiers; and Geena Davis coming back to play in the Championship in A League of Their Own. Ha, ha, good for T. A great moment. Love that he was able to come back and earn the test. Love it.

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    1. Thanks Brian! 💕 I know two of these three references too! 😊 It really was a great moment and so proud of this kid for his perseverance.

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  10. An achievement with a soundtrack! I love, love, love it! That ‘deep end’ milestone is a biggie. I remember listening to the crackling of Seals and Crofts “Summer Breeze” on the speakers at the community pool when I got the all-clear from a lifeguard to be in the deep end, jump off the high dive. Those swimming tests were scary! But gosh, it all sticks with me, decades later. Give T a fist bump…and a hug from me. He’s a champion! 🥰

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    1. Thanks Vicki! 💕 It’s amazing how these moments, and the music association, are tattooed in our brains and hearts forever. And I can see why. These are such special moments and I’m so thankful to have experienced it just as you did yours when you got the all clear. 🙏 T is indeed a champion. 😊

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  11. You picked a great time to visit the pool given how stinking hot it’s been. I actually just enrolled M in swimming lessons for next month (which is largely just to get us both comfortable with her being in the water). It’s great that T enjoys swimming and even wanted to practice! It looks like his motivation and hard work paid off! Glad to hear he passed the test and at the start of the summer too!

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    1. Thanks Linda! 💕 It has been bloody hot and the pool provided such a nice respite this Sunday.

      Getting a headstart to swim lessons is a good idea. Just pack those swim diapers cuz pooping in the pool is so stress inducing. 😆

      We’re so excited for summer to start. Banff is around the corner! 🙏

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    1. Thank you Bama! 💕 I’ll be sure to share your kind words too. And show him on the map where the comment is coming from! 😊

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  16. Now that is my idea of a good new story, Ab. I read the whole thing with a big smile on my face. You can tell T that Jane in New Brunswick is proud of him, too!

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    1. Thank you, Jane! 💕 I’m glad it brought you a smile as it did to us. I’ll share your kind words, along with the congrats from his grandparents, also from Fredericton! 😊

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