Merchild.

Its stinkin hot here.  Maybe you've heard me mention that on occasion?  I realize complaining about the weather is a tad unproductive, but its been over 90 degrees here for the past three months and we have three more to go.  Ugh.  

After last summer's aquatic triumphs I fully expected to pick right up where we left off, but I should know by now that things are never quite what I expect.  Three months ago I joyfully announced at the diner table another season of swimming, and even better - big girl classes with out Mama in the pool.  The response was shock and horror; again, not what I expected.  The conversation went something like this:  

future merchild protested, "Well I don't want lessons in the big pool."

"What are you talking about? I thought you LOVED the big pool? By the end of last summer you were a fantastic swimmer," her less than patient Mama replied.  

"I HATE swimming and I'm NOT putting my head underwater!!!"  

"IN THIS FAMILY WE SWIM!!!"

Oh yeah, I lost it.  Visions of my own Papa danced in my head. 

 In my defense, having a child who can't swim in Florida is terrifying.  There is water everywhere.  Along with the necessity, of course, comes a little ego as well.  Oh yes, in this family we swim, sail, surf, and snorkel.  My sister and I would stay in the ocean so long on a few occasions we tucked a granola bar into the hip of our bikinis so we wouldn't have to bother coming into shore for food.  I'm shocked we didn't just form blowholes, and here I was with a kid who made me wait four years to stick her face in the water - baths and showers included.  

"No take backs," would have been the next thing out of my mouth, 

but thankfully her Papa saved the day.  He comes from the mountains so he knew how she felt.  He also knew the remedy.  Little by little he convinced her to get back in, blow bubbles, and gave her the space to find bravery when I couldn't.  Little by little she figured it out in her methodical, sensible way.  

Last week she tapped my shoulder and asked if I would like to see a flip.  Three weeks ago she refused to even jump into Papa's arms from the side of the pool, and with out even a pause to think she spun herself through the air with barely a splash into the deep water.  

It is a tremendous relief to know my girl is mostly safe in the water, and its equally sweet that she completely loves it.  My child is a Merchild, just like her Mama.