It was a sunny day. A good day for a swim

Today would be the day!!

The day I made it! The day I was able to swim to the raft with the big kids.

I put on my red bathing suit, took my favorite fuzzy towel and hopped on my bike.

I rode down to the beach.

I was happy! The sun glittered off the fenders of my bike.

Today would be the day!

I got to the beach; the sand was hot between my toes.

I could see the dock.

About 15 yards off of the dock in anchored in the water was the raft.

I could see Bobby, Darren, Tammy and Erica.

They all looked like they were having so much fun.

Splashing, jumping and diving off the raft into the beautiful clear blue water.

It was like a secret island, and the only way you could

Get there and join the fun was to swim!!

My Mom told me I shouldn’t try it because the water was far too deep.

And I was so small.

I was a strong swimmer, had all my badges from my swimming lessons.

I waved to Erica, she waved back.

I put my bike to rest against a tree and headed for the dock.

I walked out onto the dock to the very end.

It rocked underneath my feet to the gentle motion of the waves

I was close enough to hear them now.

“Are you coming out?” Erica yelled.

“I sure am!!” I hollered back.

Bobby bellowed “Be careful! The water’s cold”

Darren just stood looking at me in disbelief.

Tammy did a cannonball off the raft, and made a huge splash!!

I looked down at the water. I loved to swim.

I drew in a great big breath right to the very bottom of my lungs and jumped.

As I entered the water I felt the cold rush around me almost taking my breath away.

I started to surface and when I did I took another big gasp of air.

There!  I was in the water, Bobby was right it was cold.

I started to swim.

The raft seemed so far away, I was determined to reach it and my friends.

The waves seemed strong and I pushed against them with all my might.

Fear started to whisper in my ear, I’m not going to make it, I thought.

My arms felt like rubber, the raft didn’t seem to get any closer.

Erica hollered “Come on you can do it!!

Bobby cried “It’s not that far!! You’re doing great!!””

“Come On, Come On!” they chanted.

I can do this I thought, and soon I was there, at the edge of the raft, the secret Island.

They all helped me up over the edge. The view of the beach was so different from here.

I had fun all afternoon, jumping and splashing.

The swim back to the dock didn’t seem near as long.

Today was the day after all!