Wednesday with Words…
Wednesday, June 14th, 2006
Know the difference in a good mom and a sorry aunt?
Good mom's everywhere know to pack a lunch and snacks and drinks for their kids when they go to a park. They don't assume that just because a place sold hot dogs and hamburgers 25 years ago that they still might today.
How about discipline and addiction?
Most that have already experienced the severe pain of knots in your tummy associated with eating an entire pack of waxy Twizzlers wouldn't sit and eat an entire package of Sugar-Free Twizzlers anyway. But a Twizzler addict would. And at 10pm that night the Twizzler addict would still be in such "feels like glass cutting into your stomach muscles" pain they would be wondering how in the world they will be able to get any sleep!
Would a sane aunt agree to swim this far out with her little 8 year old nephew so he could jump and slide with the big boys?
No. It is further than it looks and very, very deep. I told Caleb before we started that he had to be sure he had the stamina to do that swim. It wasn't like he could stop and rest. I begged him to wait for a time when Shishy or Martin were around since they are actually really good swimmers. Toonces was actually a life guard.
We made it but I have never breathed so heavily after a swim. Caleb asked if I was going to slide. I said "Yes, but when I do I am heading back." I wanted to use that as a kind of push off to get me back. I did the back stroke for a while on the way back as it is easier for me. Then I realized I couldn't watch the kid and I was after all there as a safety precaution for him.
My best buds are probably still in shock that I actually swam this far and also know that I could no more save a drowning child in a lake than Micheal Jackson. I would try, bless my heart. (There were life guards all around but I thought they could use my assistance.) After I turned from my back swim I noticed we still were not even half way home. So Rollie had to go into her stand-by super-powered-girl doggie paddle. I can in fact doggie paddle like a wild fiend. Again, ask my friends. The friends who beg me to stop because my head vibrates so they can't bear to watch.
Would a good mom let her 8 year old son talk her into a trail walk when he hasn't had anything to drink in over 3 hours, has been swimming hard, and has only eaten 3 cow tales for lunch? Would half-a$% auntie here?
No and Yes!
Would a good mom get them lost in a state park trying to take a short cut back because the child had already walked about 3 miles and was cranky, hungry, and dehydrated?
Yes! Yes, I can see that one. Actually my sister could very well have done that on her own. So I am okay on that one.
Caleb said he thought he was "busy tomorrow." He didn't want to come back. I think the child wants some rest. He said he thought he'd lost four pounds in a single day.
