Lessons from swimming with the fishes

Last year, midway through the summe we came across a quaint, mid-sized lake, ripe with recreational possibilities. Leona, my wife, and I began talking about how we enjoyed this solitude and how it would be perfect to have a boat to add to the enjoyment. As time passed, the desire grew and within a week, I was standing on the bow of our new, slightly used pontoon, trying to recall all of the nautical rules from my Navy days, seemingly a life time ago.

The family purchase brought with it excitement and to be honest a bit of angst and uncertainty. The concept of floating around, lighting up a BBQ and soaking in the sun; while the girls played nearby was easy enough. Ensuring everyone’s safety and the proper operation of the vessel was a bit of a stressor considering it had been an easy 25 years since I operated a boat on navigable waters. Regardless, we began living the experience, weekly, which brought joy and excitement to each of us.

Following several weeks of “lake time” our family discovered the true joy of simply centering on the adventure and fittingly named our vessel “L&R squared — Unplugged”. The girls became more and more adventurous with their play on and off the boat and began venturing further from the safety of the rails as they swam. I recall a moment when it was difficult to maintain my composure, while simultaneously attempting to. Stay on the captains chair as I laughed uncontrollably.

On the day which found me falling out of my chair, wanting ever so badly to explain exactly what was going on. The girls asked if they could swim to the shore line and collect shells. Being anchored approximately twenty five yards off shore, we gladly consented and the girls started they journey. Following a brief time and multiple shells discovered, their interest wained and they began their journey back to the boat. As the girls began their retreat, I could hear them talking. Lilli was for some reason talking to her sister about what possible living things could be swimming around them. One could hear the anxiety in her voice but she continued onward. Approximately half way between the shore line and the boat, I observed what appeared to be a large school of fish, disrupting the surface of the water nearby. In the normal dad way, I simply gained the attention of my wife and stated “Wanna see something funny”?

The school of fish rapidly changed their direction and as Lilli swam, I noted that the two were on a collision course and in a matter of moments, their paths would intersect. Watching on, grins affixed, we listened as Lilli described to her sister that water safety was a must and if she felt a fish nibbling on her; she would not like it and for all practical purposes would be done exploring this lake-based adventure. At that precise moment the school of little fish met Lilli, in the water. As she swam, never ceasing to talk, she felt the fish all around her as they swam by, she rapidly changed her tone to one of apprehension and concern and revealed “I don’t know what that was and I really don’t want to know” and continued on.

Arriving back at the boat, Lilli revealed that something weird happened in the water but overall she had fun. After revealing that she would remain on top of the water for awhile we jokingly described what she experienced and how harmless the school was. She laughed and explained that she was not in fear, but assured us she felt remaining topside was the most prudent action at this point.

As I reminisce about that fun family time I am reminded about how many times in life we cross paths with the unknown. Our lives tend to be rattled with ups and downs and commonly intersect with things which bring us fear, anger, or simply emboldens our anxiety. As with Lilli, simply keeping paddling, never ceasing to remain focused on finish line, will bring us home safely. Since that time, Lilli has regained her willingness to dive in and experience all that the lake and life has to offer.

Paddle on my friends; regardless of what surrounds us.

Richard J. Stephens lives in Carter County and is the father of three little ladies ranging in age from eight to 29.