Today's Water Lesson

Looks peaceful, doesn't it?

Ahhhhh the lake. Another beautiful Saturday that ended with a sunset slow boat ride.

But the real story was earlier in the day.

About noon, I was kicked back in the boat, soaking up the rays while a whole gaggle of people I didn't know (but whose world I was invading) played games in the swimming hole around the boat. My friend Jonathan asked if I wanted to go for a spin on the wave runner.

I'm pretty sure he asked because he thought I'd say no.

But never underestimate the occasionally unpredictable Bekah.

I remembered being on one of these things about ten years ago when I visited my sister. It was fun. Why not try it again? So I donned a life jacket (praise the Lord we are no longer wearers of corsets!) and hopped onto the wave runner behind Jonathan.

His sister said to me, "You might want to leave your sunglasses here in case you end up in the water."

I said to her, "I have absolutely no intention of ending up in the water, so they're fine."

As we prepared to head out, she yelled after me, "If you go down, take him with you!"

We went slicing through the water...and by slicing, I mean bouncing. I kept leaving the seat entirely, screaming my fool head off and having the best time.

I remember screaming and the next thing I remember, I was acutely aware of water in my lungs and the back of a life jacket pressed securely against my face.

Apparently while on such a vehicle, you're supposed to lean heavily into turns. Apparently no one told me that. Apparently Jonathan thought a fun little spin was in order. Apparently I didn't lean. And apparently Megan's words of advice stuck with me. We went flying off the wave runner and I did not let go. Not while leaving the seat, not while hitting the water, not while sinking down into the water, and certainly not until I had air in my lungs again.

I just remember thinking (as I tried to stop adding water to my lungs) - he won't let me drown. He won't let me drown. If I just hang on, he'll get me back to the surface and I won't drown.

I also don't remember much about hitting the air again other than coughing a lot and willing myself NOT to throw up. He told me later I just kept saying "I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm fine." Well that was a big fat lie!

Then of course came the next daunting task. Had to get back up ON the thing. No boat to jump from this time. Had to get up out of the water. Almost as scary as inhaling large amounts of water and other things I don't even want to think about.

Not funny at the time. But I will admit it was a fun ride - and I can now laugh. And like the hymn says....I'm learning to lean.

Oh and let the record show. I did NOT lose my sunglasses. :)