One of my family’s favorite things to do is to go fishing. Daddy decided that us girls needed to learn to swim in case we ever fell overboard while on the boat. He loaded me and my sister up and we headed to the creek.
Our creek is part of Menard Creek and it’s cold. It’s one of those places that you either have to jump on in or it takes you thirty minutes to slowly inch in and adjust to the cold water.
Well, after letting us splash around in the shallow water for a while, Dad takes us to the part that was deeper than we were tall. He would have us take turns and he put his hands under our stomach and let us practice kicking our feet and moving our arms. Then, he’d take his hands away and let us swim.
Well, Dad doesn’t do things half way when it comes to safety. So he decided that we needed to learn to swim as if we just fell off the boat.
Back then, there was a platform built over a cypress knee that stuck up from the creek. That was our “ boat” we practiced falling from.
Dad would get whoever was around to be in the water in case we had trouble. Then he would stand up on the platform and swing us over the water. We never knew when he was gonna let go.
After he let go and we were in the water, we’d have to swim towards the shallow water. I don’t think Dad realized how much fun we’d have.
For years whenever we went to the creek we’d beg him to throw us into the water from that old platform. We both became very good swimmers.
Until next time, take care of the people you love and don’t forget to make a few memories worth telling.
Grab a cup of coffee and stay a while ☕…
A few more stories you may like are coming soon
The Creek Shorts
The Broken Window
One Way Granny Survived the Depression
Are you hungry 🍴…
A few recipes you may like are coming soon
Potato Casserole
Mrs. Wiemer’s Chocolate Cake
Rooster and Rice from a Crawfish Boil
Pull up a chair 🪑…
Around here, stories are meant to be shared. Do you have a memory that makes you smile? I’d love to hear about it!