Feeling Bubbly

             Near death experiences are very odd. They really offer you a new view on all of those cheesy "Life is precious" quotes and cliches. I've had plenty of these, or at least in my opinion I've had many because if it were up to me I'd rather never have to face such situations. Anyway my first of many happened when I was... Oh I don't know... Small. That will do. My mother had some extra money, which wasn't something that generally happened living in our small faulty duplex in Richardson, so she of course wanted to spend it on something. And for whatever reason, that something was swimming lessons. I look back laughing at it now, but I guess in many ways it was nice. About the same time, there and back, 102.1 played the same hit rock songs that we loved, bright and summery. Songs like "Drops of Jupiter" and "My Sacrifice". Anyway, my older brother and I really enjoyed going to our lessons, separated once there into age groups, still singing the songs that droned off into the distance as our mother drove off. Tyson was far too young at the time, which means I kind of was too considering it's only a 2 year difference. But hey, mother knows best.
              I can't really remember much else aside from the hairy legs that paced back and forth in front myself and the 5-man horizontal line of likewise chubby munchkins. Talking about this and that, knowing full well we we'rent listening. The boogie board instructional going on behind him at the other end of the table was far too interesting. Until of course we were scooted up to the water's edge where my feet dangled into the blue. Or I guess "clear", which even at that age kind of boggled my mind. But more importantly behind me I heard a pouting child, older than I, thrashing from the grasp of another lifeguard who's class wasn't going so hot. Then there came a swift shove. A kick maybe. A splash, some thrashing, and before I knew it I was sinking. Very quickly helplessness set in as I felt my tiny body lose strength. I could no longer even try to hold my breath, the pressure from the pool pressing out the air in large, panic filled bubbles. I watched each one as they left my nostrils, my mouth, water pounding down my throat. I was dying, and I knew it. Even at such an age, with such innocence, I knew it. I don't know how to explain it, but a sudden, cooling peace came over me, and I gave in. No lies, no fabrications, all fact. I let myself swallow in more water. I welcomed my death before I even knew what it entailed, looking up at the refracted rays of sun. The ones that didnt quite reach me the way I wanted them to. And eventually, the hairy arm of my instructor, diving in to bring me back to the world of the living I hadn't quite left just yet.
            I don't think the school ever told my mother about this event, because I continued to go here for the weeks that followed. Which is kind of funny in it's own right. I think one of these days I should ask my mom about this. See how she responds.