Poolside Terror

Eli is running around the side of the pool, carrying two toys. I'm wading in the shallows, making my way towards his location.

As if in slow motion, I see him step on the side, lose his balance, skid the inside of his leg, and drop head first into the water.

I scream, "Oh no!"

And though he is only 20 feet from me, I cannot get there fast enough. He is belly up, completely submerged, except for his two arms frantically waving above the surface.

The seconds take forever to get to him, and with each step I breathlessly scream: "Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!"

I scoop him up, a half second before another adult tries to save him.

He comes up screaming. I hold him in my arms, get out of the pool, and make my way to our pool chairs. As I am sitting I realize that I am shaking and that my joints are sore and stiff.

Eli continues to scream and I rock him in my arms. My mom grabs a towel and dries him off, and points out the large scrape on his leg.

It takes a little bit for him to settle down. But eventually he becomes calmer. He cries, "Fall, fall, fall." And I say, "I know, you fell!" Acknowledging and talking about his fall brings him a greater peace, though he is still visibly upset. After 40 minutes of an unhappy Eli, I take him home. The removal from the pool area does the trick... along with color Gold Fish crackers.

Now if only color Gold Fish crackers can heal my nerves!