The Frozen Pond
One winter morning, when I was a child, my Dad took us ice skating on a frozen pond near our home. Before letting us on the ice he inspected it and determined that the smooth ice was too thin to skate on but the bumpy ice was thick enough. We were thus told not to skate on the smooth ice, as it was too thin, and to stay only on the bumpy ice.
Since it was my first time ice skating, the bumpy ice was especially challenging for me. I soon became frustrated at my inability to skate on bumpy ice and noticed that Dad had gone back in the car where it was warm. He couldn’t tell where the thin ice was from where he was sitting so I slowly crept closer and closer to the smooth ice.
Soon I was skating at the level I expected of myself and was proud of my achievement; until I heard the ice crack. I panicked and stopped skating. I could see the cracks radiating all around me, away from my skates. Then the ice made that horrible sound again and I squatted.
My plan was to gently push myself away from danger. Unfortunately for me, my guardian angel was determined to teach me a lesson and I fell through the ice into four feet of ice cold water. I started splashing and screaming for help, too shocked to realize that my skates touched the muddy bottom and that the water was only chest deep.
My Dad quickly got out of the car and walked over to the edge of the pond to analyze the situation for what seemed like an eternity. Then, instead of coming on the ice towards me and pull me out, he calmly said, “Get out of there.”
His calm demeanor helped me conquer my fear and I was thus able to pull myself out of the water. Without further incident, but with much trepidation I clawed my way towards the bumpy ice. Once there, I guardedly stood up and, head bowed and ashamed, skated towards my father. Soaking wet and shivering in the car, I contemplated the lesson learned. Finally, I came to the conclusion that in the face of adversity, I must reach deep within myself and find inner strength.
It was only years later, after I had finished college and had children of my own, that I was able to realize that when a small child falls through the ice, it means that it is too thin for an adult to walk on it towards him and pull him out. I have never forgotten this important lesson.
-----Joe Cavalry, Long Island>, NY, Computer Engineer,
son of Mr. Cavalry, Communication Technician (1971)
posted by cavalry.joe at 8:01 AM
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