Learning to Swim

Tugaya, Lake Lanao... It was a lovely sunny day, every kid is going to lake to swim and play. As friends called unto me to join them for morning of fun and playing I was rather timid and slow. At age nine I still don't know how to swim - I've kept it secret for a while I wouldn't admit lest I be the laughing stock. Kids in my town learn to swim as early as 5.

I do venture in the lake to teach myself how to swim but whenever other kids arrive I will always leave and pretend that I am done swimming - little did they know of my little secret. I even collected those tiny insects that seem to float in the water believing that if you squeeze them in your elbows and knees you will soon learn how to swim. Always avoiding playing and swimming with them making all sorts of excuses and lies...

Ah!!! But that day is different from any other day. It was a day when the ray of the sun seems to penetrate beyond our skin and into our very soul. A day when destiny calls and kids build their character... I have decided that day to join in the fun come what may - either I sink in the bottom learning how to swim and be the laughing stock of friends or triumph that somehow my body reflexes will help me float.

As I heard the cheering and shouting of kids playing in the lake - joy in their faces beyond description, the happiness they felt beyond compare. I slowly undress nude - naked nothing there except that tiny thing that wiggle as you run. I suck up all the air I can take and run as fast as I could -- jumping into the water with a big splash and a cheering crowd. I slowly descend into deep cold and realize that the water is too deep. Huh! Panic is upon me. Then as if time froze and my very soul spoke to me saying believe in yourself that you can do it. I calmed and my feet and hands as if they have a mind of their own start moving to send me upward. As a resurface and feel my lungs with air, I shouted with my heart's content.

It was a triumph that I cherish to these days. A slice of life that builds what we are now. Hope I didn't waste a minute of your time reading my blog. Great day to you!!!