It was kind of quiet in the car on the way home, I didn’t need a lecture about running around the pool, I think I learned that lesson. Dad who never said much, turned and looked briefly at me and says with a mist in his eyes, “You were quite brave in the doctor’s office.”  When Dad did say something it was the right thing.  If you look close you can still see the scar across my eyebrow to this day.

I kind of ruined lunch at Magnesia Springs but when we got home Betty, Billy and their kids were there with my sister and brother, and we had a late picnic lunch at our house. I was kind of the center of attention with the kids with them all wanting to see my stitches up close with Betty saying, “That’s what happens when you run at the pool.”

Later that night before going to bed the nonvaccine began to wear off and Mom gave me a couple of aspirin before kissing me on the forehead and saying goodnight. On the bright side, having stitches, the doctor said I should not go swimming for a couple of weeks, so I missed the next couple of lessons…. But I didn’t’ miss the cold water.

We kids all learned to swim in spite of missing swimming lessons and we spent many summer days swimming in pools, lakes and at the beach.

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