It’s Not Just a Belly Flop

Posted by Gabe on May 30, 2009 under Just for Fun | Read the First Comment

This past week we have been on vacation in the Outer Banks, NC.  We have enjoyed spotty weather but enough sun to take in tennis, the pool, jet skiing, the beach and much more.  Of all these adventures to choose from I am sure you are wondering why the subject of this post is a belly flop. That reason will appear self-evident shortly I hope.

My darling daughter MaryMargaret, who is now 10, is with us of course.  She absolutely loves the pool. We had to get a rental home that was equipped with one and would also tolerate our two Bernese Moutain dogs.  If she had her way we would be in the pool the whole time.  The other day she was challenging me to give her new ways of jumping in the pool.  After exhausting the usual selections, I suggested a belly flop.  She reluctantly agreed but was very hesitant.  She tried it several times but at the last moment would pull her arms in and protect herself.  “No problem”, we said, “you don’t have to do it.” 

The weather yesterday was glorious – we packed so much activity into one day.  In the heat of the afternoon we all got in the pool.  Someone suggested I do a belly flop.  I said, “No way!”  But then I thought to myself – if I can ask my daughter to do it then I should be willing to do it myself.  Nonetheless if I’m going to do this I need to at least put a T-shirt on.  I stood before the water and pondered what I got myself into.  After all, it had been at least 40 years since I performed this silly feat. But, there was no turning back now so off I went. OUCH!!  I have a much bigger frame than I did when I was young which didn’t help matters any.  MaryMargaret had many questions for me: “How bad did it hurt?” “How long did the hurt last?”  She then said, “Ok I’m going to do one now.”  We told her she didn’t have to, but her response was “I want to prove to my daddy that I can do it!”  Off she went and did a perfect belly flop.

It may seem silly but I was so proud of her.  She faced her fear through sheer determination and got through it.  Challenging yourself to face fears and carry out tasks that you never thought you were capable of is how human greatness is achieved.  Now does she deserve some sort of award for performing a belly flop? Of course not but I hope and trust that she learned an important lesson from this.