Bugaboo came home with a big smile on her face last week. She was very excited that Coach had volunteered the JV swim team to teach the special needs kids how to swim. A few weeks ago she got her Red Cross CPR certification and went through lifeguard class and since then her dream has been to teach swimming lessons. And she has a history with the special needs girls at her school.
OK. Maybe the special needs girls reach out to anyone that passes by, but I kind of don't think so. She is always very nice to them and has always smiled at them in the halls and tried to make them feel "normal" and so this year they have frequently stopped her to talk. They tell her secrets, like how this one is getting married (tee hee!) and how that one's brother died and various events in their lives. She doesn't know how much is real and how much isn't but she acts like it all is and gives them the appropriate response.
"Oh, congratulations! When's the big day?"
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. You must be very sad."
They love her.
Each team member got assigned to one person. We'll call Bugaboo's girl Ingrid. Day after day Bugaboo worked with Ingrid on the basics to get her comfortable in the water and learn the movements that will help her swim.
"OK, Ingrid! Do the alligator crawl!" That got her arms moving.
"OK, Ingrid! Great! Blow your dandelions!" Breathing.
"Kick, Ingrid, kick! You're doing great!"
Ingrid did NOT, however, ever want to jump off the edge. Bug didn't push her, just tried to encourage her.
Friday they were in the pool and Bugaboo was cheerleading and encouraging her little heart out. Ingrid was doing awesome. She was very proud of her little protege and very proud of herself because this was so easy for her! Ingrid was actually swimming and it was all because of Bugaboo. What an accomplishment! Was there some way she could make a career out of this? Everyone is always trying to impart the life lesson that says to do what you love. She LOVED this and she was obviously a pro at it.
Unfortunately another life lesson is that if things seem too good to be true, they probably are. After lessons Coach pulled her aside and told her that Ingrid's mom had called.
Ingrid already knows how to swim.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Duped!
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2 comments:
The important part of that whole story is Bugaboo's heart. She, too is so kind and sweet. Now, tell me just how you happened to raise TWO kids that are so sweet and senstive to the less fortunate - must be the great example you and SSB are to them.
As I remember though you "don't like people"
Yeah, how is it that I ended up the with guy that "doesn't like people" either? I guess two hermits together is just sad.
Good job for Bugaboo. So, why didn't Ingrid let on that she could already swim?
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